Anthony Bates (born 26 September 1961, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire) is an English association football referee who operates in the Football League, and previously served as assistant referee for UEFA in the Euro 96 competition. He also refereed the FA Women's Cup Final in 2007. On average, Bates gave a high 4.0 cards per game in the 98/99 season, the highest so far in his career.