Authorised by the ref? (8)
I believe the answer is:
official
This clue is a double definition.
'authorised' is the first definition.
('official' can be similar in meaning to 'authorized')
'the ref?' is the second definition.
(ref is a kind of official)
'by' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for official that I've seen before include "It's no rumour - he's in charge" , "Authorised representative" , "Functionary" , "Authorised - formal" , "worthy of credibility" .)