UEFA has announced a new four-part documentary series following 16 Champions League referees on and off the pitch over an 18-month period between February 2019 and August 2020, giving fans a rare insight into the top level. But what is required to become a match official?
The first episode of the weekly series titled Man in the Middle will be available on UEFA.tv on 16 November and is UEFA’s first original documentary series produced for its own digital platform.
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⚽ An unprecedented insight into one of the toughest jobs in football. What does it take to become a #UCL referee?
▶️ A new four-part series will track the professional and private lives of Europe’s top officials. pic.twitter.com/r9n9l2pi9r
— UEFA (@UEFA) November 12, 2020
At the end of a campaign that began with the knockout stages of the 2018/19 Champions League and ended with the 2019/20 final mini-tournament in Lisbon, disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, Man in the Middle Both have clear footage of interactions with players. pitch, as well as personal interviews covering the pressures of such a high-profile job.
The episodes will also see the officials giving their personal opinions on important VAR incidents.
“[Man in the Middle] highlights the professionalism, motivation and dedication of some of Europe’s best officials, as well as the humans behind the figures seen by players and supporters on the pitch,” said UEFA’s Chief of Refereeing. Roberto Rossetti said.
“The introduction of VAR and the COVID-19 pandemic have brought new challenges to our community of officials, but we are extremely proud of how they have adapted and continue to set the standard for football officials around the world. kept.”
VAR now plays prominent role in UEFA refereeing / Lars Baron / Getty Images
Cuneyt Çakır (Turkey), Willy Cullum (Scotland), Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain), Ovidiu Hategan (Romania), Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands), Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spena), Bobby Madden (Scotland), Danny Makkelie (Netherlands) ), Szymon Marciniak (Poland), Michael Oliver (England), Daniele Orsato (Italy), Gianluca Rocchi (Italy), Damir Skomina (Slovenia), Anthony Taylor (England), Clement Turpin (France), Felix Zwayer (Germany).
Access to UEFA.tv is free but requires registration and is available on Android and iOS smartphone and tablet apps, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Hisense VIDAA Smart TVs. UEFA Digital users can sign in to watch on UEFA.tv with existing login details.
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