Crossword Genius

Firefighting official? (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ref

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'official?' is the definition.
(match official in football, say)

'firefighting' is the wordplay.
'REF' is hidden in amongst the letters.
But, I'm uncertain how the hidden word is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ref that I've seen before include "In brief, he controls a soccer match" , "In brief, a soccer controller" , "Whistleblower (abbr)" , "'Game judge, in short (3)'" , "Sports official (abbrev.)" .)

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