Elite Soccer Referees

This book provides an in-depth exploration of the evolution of the match official. It presents a comparative analysis of elite Association Football referees in England, Spain and Italy as well as offering insights into the involvement of UEFA and FIFA in referee training. Drawing on archive material, the book documents the historical development of refereeing and sheds new light on the practice of elite refereeing in the present day. Including exclusive interviews with elite and ex-elite referees, as well as professional soccer managers and members of the broadcast media, it considers the current role of match officials and as well as the challenges and controversies they encounter.