The Impossible Job copertina

The Impossible Job

The Truly Unbelievable World of Football Referees

 Anteprima
Acquista a 11,73 € e iscriviti ora Acquista a 10,74 € e inizia la prova
L'offerta termina il 28 dicembre 2026.
Dopo 30 giorni (60 per i membri Prime), 9,99 €/mese. Puoi cancellare ogni mese
Risparmia più del 90% nei primi 3 mesi.
Ascolta quanto vuoi, scegliendo tra migliaia di audiolibri e serie originali inclusi.
Scarica il tuo audiolibro e ascolta offline, senza interruzioni
Rinnovo automatico a 9,99 €/mese dopo 3 mesi. Disdici mensilmente. L'offerta termina il 28 dicembre 2026.
Dopo esserti registrato per un abbonamento, puoi acquistare questo e tutti gli altri audiolibri nel nostro catalogo esteso, ad un prezzo scontato del 30%
Ottieni accesso illimitato a una raccolta di oltre migliaia di audiolibri e podcast originali.
Nessun impegno. Cancella in qualsiasi momento e conserva tutti i titoli acquistati.
Scopri di più sull'abbonamento

The Impossible Job

Di: William Ralston
Letto da: Simon Darwen
Acquista a 10,74 € e inizia la prova Acquista a 10,74 € e inizia la prova

Dopo 30 giorni, 9,99 €/mese. Cancella quando vuoi.

Dopo 30 giorni, 9,99 €/mese. Cancella quando vuoi.

Acquista ora a 15,35 €

Acquista ora a 15,35 €

Offerte di stagione | 0,99 €/mese per i primi 3 mesi

A seguire 9,99 €/mese – si applicano condizioni. Puoi disdire mensilmente.

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

 Calcio Sport
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1

Recensioni della critica

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)
A superb insight into football's most misunderstood subject. We all read the game differently—but do we really know the rules? (Jamie Carragher)
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)
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)
Refereeing is not about being liked, but about being trusted and trust is hard to earn, easy to lose. This book understands that. (Slavko Vincic)
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. (Marco Guida)
An important and deeply human portrait of referees — crucial in a football culture increasingly shaped by suspicion and conspiracy theories. (Carlos Clos Gómez)
Meticulously researched and superbly written, this book takes you behind the scenes like never before. A must for all football fans. (Darren Cann)
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. (Anthony Taylor)
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. (Knut Kircher)
Ancora nessuna recensione