The Clue
Target of fans' scorn (3 letter answer)
The Answer
REF
Tags
Notes
The answer REF is seen frequently, appearing about once every 80 puzzles.
Related Clues
Arbiter
Call
Official
Ump
Bartlett's, e.g.
Boxing official
Call, as a game
Call, in a way
Coin flipper
Expert on plays
Fairness determiner
Game official
Grid arbiter
Grid man
Make calls
One making calls
N.B.A. arbiter
N.B.A. official
N.F.L. official
Official with a whistle
Person in stripes
Play analyzer
Play watcher
Ring leader?
Ring official
Sports "zebra"
TKO caller
Ump's counterpart
Ump's cousin
Ump's relative
Webster's or Bartlett's
Whistle blower
Whistle-blower
Whistle-blower?
Whistler on a gridiron
B-ball official
Fight adjudicator, for short
Fight stopper, at times
Make some calls
Man on a court, for short
Third man in the ring
Whistle-blower on a court
Whistle blower, for short
1994 Judy Davis film, with "The"
Officiate a football game, informally
Person in a zebra-striped shirt, informally
Definition
REF as a noun:
1. (referee, ref) = (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or American football) who is expected to ensure fair play