The Impossible Job

William Ralston reveals the reality of refereeing. Ritually abused and remorselessly undermined by the VAR system, referees still know what they’re doing.

William Ralston reveals the reality of refereeing. Ritually abused and remorselessly undermined by the VAR system, referees still know what they’re doing.

At last a book on the referees that does justice to their incredible and irreplaceable contribution to football. In contrast to the dimwitted caricatures that dominate fan cultures, William Ralston’s impossible job - by turns sharp empathetic and funny - captures elite referee’s humanity, integrity and talents. It is hard after reading this book not to see referees, not to see referees who facet impossible and contradictory demands of the game, as the heroes of the spectacle.

Refereeing is not about being liked, but about being trusted and trust is hard to earn, easy to lose. This book understands that.

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.

An important and deeply human portrait of referees — crucial in a football culture increasingly shaped by suspicion and conspiracy theories.

Meticulously researched and superbly written , this book takes you behind the scenes like never before. A must for all football fans.

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.

William Ralston is a freelance writer living in London. His work has appeared in the Financial Times, GQ , the Guardian , Vanity Fair , and Wired , among other publications. He won the Best Sportswriting award at the 2023 British Journalism Awards.