Foul Play
A timely and thought provoking look into the world of amateur football refereeing in the United Kingdom. We get up close and personal with the refs who have been on the receiving end of verbal and physical abuse, as well as following keen wannabes as they take their first steps onto the muddy parks of Sunday league football. Full of ferocious tackles, heckles and of course pre-match pub visits, we get to know the men and women trying to keep control of the players at the bottom of the footballing pyramid.
Synopsis
A timely and thought provoking look into the world of amateur football refereeing in the United Kingdom. This hour long documentary features up close and personal interviews with refs who have been on the receiving end of verbal and even physical abuse. It also follows keen wannabes as they take their first steps onto the muddy parks of Sunday league football. There are plenty of ferocious tackles as the men and women in the middle struggle to keep up with the kicks and fists. Plus our cameras follow the teams on pre-match pub visits, and learn about off the pitch grudges which will make the refs job even harder. Then there’s the series of eye tests and written examinations that have to be passed in order to officiate in the rough and tumble of a local league. From calling offsides and disallowing goals in the face of intense pressure this is an uncompromising journey from the changing rooms to the sidelines and into the heart of the action. We get to know the characters involved trying to keep control of the players at the bottom of the footballing pyramid.