Football fans have a special relationship with referees and prefer to blame the "Men in Black" when their favourite team lose a match. But none of them really understand the pressure and difficulties of refereeing a football match. French filmmakers Yves Hinant and Jean Libon realeased an impressive documentary on the life of referees with never seen on- and off-field video and audio clips...
The documentary "Les Arbitres" ("Referees at Work") was released days before the 2010 FIFA World Cup and gives a more in-depth and balanced insight into the work of referees and their private lives with friends and family.
A film crew followed a couple of well-known referees and their families around during the Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. Thanks to the support of UEFA, the film makers were also given access to the recorded headset conversations between the referees during a match.
I started to work in the football business more than 10 years ago and I must really say that I'm impressed by this documentary! It is a must-watch documentary for anyone related to the world of football - be it fans, media, officials or footballers!
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Here are a few short clips from the documentary "Les Arbitres" ("Referees at Work") as an appetizer...
