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The Impossible Job
- Author
- William Ralston
- Narrator
- Simon Darwen
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Publish Date
- 27 August 2026
- Run Time
- 10 hours 39 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
Booed by crowds. Sworn at by players. Spat on from the stands. Threatened, accused, hated. Welcome to the world of football refereeing.
We watch referees every week. But almost none of us understand what the job really demands.
In this meticulously reported book, William Ralston goes deep inside football's most exposed role, speaking to officials from Sunday league pitches to World Cups to show what it takes to officiate at the highest level.
With rare access to UEFA, FIFA, and PGMO, he embeds with referees across Europe’s five major leagues – Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, and the Premier League – following them through training camps, assessment rooms, and matchdays, where a single call can define a career. He also learns to referee himself, experiencing first-hand the speed and scrutiny that come with every call.
Through defining matches and controversial decisions, he examines the influence of VAR, how referees judge fouls, and the excruciatingly fine margins between control and chaos.
An unprecedented look inside refereeing, The Impossible Job will change the way you watch football forever.
'A superb insight into football's most misunderstood subject. We all read the game differently – but do we really know the rules?' Jamie Carragher
'William Ralston reveals the reality of refereeing. Ritually abused and remorselessly undermined by the VAR system, referees still know what they’re doing' Michael Calvin, author of The Nowhere Me
© William Ralston 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
Critics Review
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William Ralston reveals the reality of refereeing. Ritually abused and remorselessly undermined by the VAR system, referees still know what they’re doing.
Michael Calvin, author of THE NOWHERE MEN
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A superb insight into football's most misunderstood subject. We all read the game differently—but do we really know the rules?
Jamie Carragher
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A brilliantly researched and impeccably written study of the most misunderstood position in football. Ralston uses his access, contacts and first-hand experience to cut through decades of rage, prejudice and wilful ignorance, and in so doing achieves the impossible feat: depicting referees as recognisably human.
Jonathan Liew
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A gripping, immersive, and deeply humane portrait of a group of people whose work has long been unseen and misunderstood.
Rory Smith, author of EXPECTED GOALS
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Refereeing is not about being liked, but about being trusted and trust is hard to earn, easy to lose. This book understands that.
2024 Champions League final referee
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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.
Champions League and Serie A referee
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An important and deeply human portrait of referees — crucial in a football culture increasingly shaped by suspicion and conspiracy theories.
Director of VAR in La Liga
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Meticulously researched and superbly written, this book takes you behind the scenes like never before. A must for all football fans.
2010 World Cup Final Assistant Referee
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The Impossible Job delves deep into the emotional rollercoaster that is refereeing, revealing the demands and challenges faced by referees at all levels like never before.
Premier League and Champions League referee
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An amazing book offering very valuable, insightful perspectives on refereeing at the highest international level. William Ralston has conducted remarkable interviews and got remarkable responses. His work is really profound and offers a deep, detailed, and thoughtful examination of the role of referees. It can make a significant contribution to helping referees gain an even greater understanding of their demanding and challenging work. I am pleased that our referees were able to contribute their part to this through their discussions with the author.
Managing Director of Sports and Communications in the DFB Schiri GmbH
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- William Ralston
- Narrator
- Simon Darwen
- Duration
- 10 hours 39 minutes
- Release Date
- 27 August 2026
- ISBN
- 9781405990042
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Genre
- Association football (Soccer), Sporting events and management, Interviews / discussions
Synopsis
Booed by crowds. Sworn at by players. Spat on from the stands. Threatened, accused, hated. Welcome to the world of football refereeing.We watch referees every week. But almost none of us understand what the job really demands.In this meticulously reported book, William Ralston goes deep inside football's most exposed role, speaking to officials from Sunday league pitches to World Cups to show what it takes to officiate at the highest level.With rare access to UEFA, FIFA, and PGMO, he embeds with referees across Europe’s five major leagues – Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, and the Premier League – following them through training camps, assessment rooms, and matchdays, where a single call can define a career. He also learns to referee himself, experiencing first-hand the speed and scrutiny that come with every call.Through defining matches and controversial decisions, he examines the influence of VAR, how referees judge fouls, and the excruciatingly fine margins between control and chaos.An unprecedented look inside refereeing, The Impossible Job will change the way you watch football forever.'A superb insight into football's most misunderstood subject. We all read the game differently – but do we really know the rules?' Jamie Carragher'William Ralston reveals the reality of refereeing. Ritually abused and remorselessly undermined by the VAR system, referees still know what they’re doing' Michael Calvin, author of The Nowhere Me© William Ralston 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
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