Kevin Friend (born 8 July 1971) is a former professional football referee based in Leicester. He is a member of the Leicestershire and Rutland County Football Association.

His most notable appointments have been to referee the 2012 Community Shield, played at Villa Park, the 2013 League Cup final which was held at Wembley Stadium, and the 2019 FA Cup final which was also held at Wembley.

Friend started refereeing at the age of 14 in his home county of Leicestershire. He officiated in the Leicestershire Senior League and Midland Football Alliance before being promoted to the National List of Referees, and later to the Select Group of Referees ahead of the 2009–10 season. His first Premier League fixture was on 20 September 2009: a 2–1 victory for Wolverhampton Wanderers over Fulham; Friend showed two yellow cards during his debut appointment in England's top-flight.

Friend issued his first Premier League red card on 15 December 2009 to Sunderland captain Lorik Cana for a second bookable offence in his team's 2–0 defeat to Aston Villa.

He refereed the 2009 FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium on 10 May between Whitley Bay and Glossop North End, won 2–0 by the Bay.

During a Football League One match in 2010 between Norwich City and Milton Keynes Dons Friend issued 11 yellow cards, including two to Dons player Aaron Wilbraham.

Friend showed a red card to Sunderland defender Wes Brown in a 2013 Premier League match against Stoke City, which the FA later rescinded.

In 2016, Friend was controversially prevented from officiating a Premier League match between Stoke City and title contenders Tottenham Hotspur, due to him being a supporter of fellow title challengers Leicester City.