The referee is the most unappreciated person on the pitch, but often times the most important. The referee has to manage the game, the players, the managers, and even the expectations of the fans.
Referees do change games and sometimes history.
What would have happened if Ali Bin Nasser had seen Maradona’s “Hand of God” at the 1986 World Cup?
What would have happened if Martin Hansson made a call on Thierry Henry’s handball that left the Irish out of the 2010 World Cup? Which was worse?
The former made it to #5 on the all-time list of poor referee decisions, while the latter reportedly cost the Irish economy over $150 million. Talk about pressure!
But referees are human, right? They are asked to make split-second decisions in a game that is so incredibly fast, decisions that can and often do change the dynamics of a match.
Would you want to be in their shoes?
Being the gatekeeper to the beautiful game is a thankless job. Someone is always upset. Sometimes both teams are upset. You just never know, but one thing is for certain. There is never a pat on the back for a job well done.
Referees do their job because they love and respect the game.
You are the Ref: A Guide to Good Refereeing by Paul Trevillion and Keith Hackett is an absolute gem. It is literally a work of art with incredible illustrations that capture the art of refereeing and the beauty of the beautiful game. The content is dynamite in every regard.
The book teaches you the laws of the game, provides interactive dilemmas to ponder, and most importantly, fosters a deep respect for referees and the job they do.
I’m not saying this book will make you qualified to ref your kid’s weekend youth match, but it will give you a better understanding of how the game is played. And it will give you some credibility the next time you yell at the officials for blowing a call.
Overall, You Are the Ref is a soccer masterpiece, a title that should be on the shelf of every soccer fan. Buy a copy for you and your favorite official today!
