The Man in Black: History of the Football Referee

Summary

This work looks at the football referee from every discipline and angle: the history of their genesis as gentlemen arbiters in the Victorian era and their adjustment to the increasing sophistication of the laws; statistical analysis; social profile; cultural comparisons from refereeing around the world and in different sports; the outlook from the bottom (Sunday pub leagues) to the top (FIFA); refereeing philosophies (what is the referee's job?); and personal testimonies. Other influences on the games' decisions - linesmen, corruption, the crowd, TV and technology - are also included, together with many anecdotes, such as worst ever blunders.