THE REFEREES Review - Howard Webb: A 21st Century Portrait

By Robert Beames / August 30, 2012

rating: 3.5

Directed by Belgian former sports journalist Yves Hinant, French football documentary Les Arbitres - released in the UK as The Referees - draws obvious comparison with Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait as it hones in on one solitary figure during a football match. However, as the title suggests, here that figure is not a mercurial footballer but the most hated man in professional sport: the referee. The film follows a half-dozen of these poor souls (and their assistants) during matches at an international tournament - UEFA Euro 2008 (going from the group stage to the final) - as we catch a glimpse of the beautiful game in a way we've never been asked to see it before - from the point of view of the embattled man in the middle. The Referees is a slightly more conventional documentary than the more arthouse-oriented Zidane, lacking that film's Mogwai soundtrack and with action not restricted to the football pitch. Here we spend just as much time in dressing rooms and with the families of those involved, watching as the likes of England's Howard Webb prepare for games, have their performances evaluated by UEFA and deal with a frequently hostile media. It's a human and overall sympathetic portrayal of those who are usually only mentioned when something has gone wrong and even Webb's most ardent critics would probably warm to the unassuming Yorkshireman after spending this time in his company - especially after meeting his extremely proud, no-nonsense father (himself a former referee). Mr. Webb's story is the most interesting of the bunch, with a high-profile (and correct) penalty decision in a game between co-hosts Austria and Poland drawing fire from the Polish prime minister who apparently "wanted to kill" the Englishman, a fact which leads to a heated press conference. This storm of controversy eventually sees Webb's team sent home from the finals after the group stage and the film ends with the ref being thrown a bitter-sweet party back home that resembles something from Phoenix Nights (with Webb leading a karaoke session of "You'll Never Walk Alone" for revellers). But whilst Webb's "character arc" seems to get the most screen-time, we do follow other officials from around Europe, a few of whom are almost as interesting. We see the wives and girlfriends of the preening Italian referees (lead by Roberto Rosetti, who officiates the final) as they watch matches on TV and debate the complexities of the laws of the game in a way that would put most pub conversations to shame. We are shown the Spanish official Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez as he watches on in agony as his nation progress to the final - ending his own chance of being involved in the biggest game of a two decade-long professional career. Gonzalez seems crestfallen even as Iker Casillas lifts the trophy - then the biggest night in the history of Spanish football. We also catch a few glimpses of UEFA president Michel Platini casually chatting at a function where he tells gathered officials how to better do their jobs, in the process showing just how out of touch and arrogant the football authorities can be. "If you could see everything you'd be a number ten" says the former France and Juventus playmaker, asserting his innate supremacy over all referees everywhere without an ounce of grace. Yet the lack of narration or "talking head" interview segments lends the documentary a lot of weight as we are left to observe these scenarios and come to our own conclusions about all the people in question. Hinant's refusal to demonise or lionise the officials or the institutions of the game is this humanistic and compassionate film's single greatest strength. However the documentary is not without shortcomings. During its slender 77 minute running time there is just not enough footage of the referees actually on the football pitch - for many the film's main selling point - whilst on-screen interactions between the officials and players are at a minimum. Anyone hoping to get an unprecedented, uncensored look at how the footballers speak to match officials (à la televised Rugby Union) will be left sadly disappointed by this missed opportunity - though judging by the amount of access the filmmakers have been given to the tournament, there was perhaps little chance that the film would risk making top players look ridiculous (something which might have "brought the game into disrepute" as FIFA would say). The one time we do hear players arguing the match is already over and the ref in question is wrong and apologising, with the Swiss Massimo Busacca telling the athletes "I am not God. I make mistakes." It might not be as incendiary or sensationalistic as you crave (or as Soda Pictures' press notes do their best to imply), but The Referees is a contemplative and eye-opening look at the world's most popular game from the point of view of its least popular face. It won't stop you hurling abuse at Howard Webb when he inevitably awards that last minute penalty against your team at Old Trafford next season, but it should be enough to discourage you from blindly hating the man. If I took anything away from Les Arbitres, it's that the South Yorkshire Police sergeant seems like a thoroughly decent chap. French theatrical release poster:The Referees (Les Arbitres) is on limited release in the UK from Friday August 5th and is available on DVD from the 22nd.