William Ralston

William Ralston reveals the reality of refereeing. Ritually abused, and remorselessly undermined by the VAR system, they do know what they're doing.

Refereeing is not about being liked, but about being trusted and trust is hard to earn, easy to lose. This book understands that.

Loving football from the perspective of someone who enforces the rules gives you a different way of seeing the game. This book captures the complexity of an often criticised role and the emotional weight referees carry. It shows the human being behind the referee – their emotions, his fears, and joys.

The Truly Unbelievable World of Football Referees

Booed by crowds, sworn at by players, spat on from the stands, threatened, accused, hated—welcome to football refereeing. We see referees every week, yet few understand what they endure on and off the pitch. In this revealing book, journalist William Ralston interviews officials from grassroots leagues to the Premier League, Champions League and World Cups, uncovering the truth of this impossible job. With access to UEFA, FIFA and PGMOL, he explores selection, training and rising pressures. He also immersed himself with referees across Europe’s top five leagues—Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Premier League—examining VAR, key decisions and costly mistakes. <i>The Impossible Job</i> offers a powerful new perspective that will change how you watch football.

The Impossible Job

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William Ralston

Praise for The Impossible Job

William Ralston reveals the reality of refereeing. Ritually abused, and remorselessly undermined by the VAR system, they do know what they're doing.

Refereeing is not about being liked, but about being trusted and trust is hard to earn, easy to lose. This book understands that.

Loving football from the perspective of someone who enforces the rules gives you a different way of seeing the game. This book captures the complexity of an often criticised role and the emotional weight referees ca ...

William Ralston reveals the reality of refereeing. Ritually abused, and remorselessly undermined by the VAR system, they do know what they're doing.

Refereeing is not about being liked, but about being trusted and trust is hard to earn, easy to lose. This book understands that.

Loving football from the perspective of someone who enforces the rules gives you a different way of seeing the game. This book captures the complexity of an often criticised role and the emotional weight referees ca ...

William Ralston reveals the reality of refereeing. Ritually abused, and remorselessly undermined by the VAR system, they do know what they're doing.

Refereeing is not about being liked, but about being trusted and trust is hard to earn, easy to lose. This book understands that.

Loving football from the perspective of someone who enforces the rules gives you a different way of seeing the game. This book captures the complexity of an often criticised role and the emotional weight referees ca ...

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