Man in the Middle - referee documentary

https://www.uefa.tv/video/vod/178392...&utm_source=rp

i saw episode 1 on BT sport last night but the series is on the link above.

It’s about the UEFA referees and how they go about their jobs, use VAR etc. They show clips from the games including the audio of the conversations between VAR & Referees as well as bits of on pitch conversations with players.

It’s a UEFA documentary series so there will be a healthy amount of spin to show their referees in a good light but having listened to parts of their decision making process through the audio provided, you can understand how & why decisions are made. Makes it easier to see why a referee gave a penalty etc. In one part, the refreee talks about a penalty in the city v spurs knockout game a couple of years ago. A penalty was given early on via VAR but he said live he didnt think it could ever be a penalty. Watched VAR, realised it was & gave it. That’s how it should be, not trying to protect the ego but realising referees cant see everything.

i think opening up the audio to fans would be a significant improvement as people can understand how & why decisions are made. Rugby is a prime example. On Sunday, there was an incident where a player took another player out late but the referee said its was fine at the time. At next break in play, TMO stepped it and told him to check it again, referee sent player off after realising he got it wrong.

the PGMOL seem to portray this image that there referees never make mistakes & are incorruptible which does not help them. Open up the audio, make the decision making process in public so people can understand. The more fans understand, the more forgiving they will be.