The truth is, referees have a thankless job. The only figure on the pitch despised by both sets of fans has the unenviable task of following football’s vague set of laws which they don’t write or necessarily agree with. Top most outstanding referees 2024.
While he is maintaining the requisite fitness levels demanded by the modern game, and withstanding unspeakable abuse which extends well beyond 90 minutes in the world of social media.
There is often no publicity is good publicity for the referees. Whenever any managers or players talks about any referee, it is to offer them some warm praise.
But these unloved instruments of justice are integral to the most popular sport on the planet.
Keeping a lid on 22 angry professional footballers and a 50,000 strong crowd of supporters baying for blood is as difficult as it sounds, and also being watchful of coaches from both teams just incase they crosses the line or behaves inappropriately referees boasting a unique skill set that separates them from the from regular players in the pitch.
Let us look at some of the best in the business.
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5. Daniele Orsato (Italy)
Daniele Orsato takes no prisoners when it comes to officiating the big games and he is certainly not afraid to make the tough calls.
The Italian likes to take a strict approach, dishing out plenty of cards, but he is usually fair in his distribution of cards.
He was apparently the referee for the 2019/20 Champions league final and also took charge of the 2022 World cup semi-finals between Argentina and Croatia.
In the summer of 2024, Orsato was included in the expert referee commission of the Russian football Union, but a week later he refused the job.
The referee initially explained his decision by ethical considerations, but then admitted that he was offered a more attractive position. He may head the association of Italian referees
4. Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
The Dutchman is another incredibly experienced official who has racked up over 600 matches across his career as a referee and it will shock you to know that he is also a police inspector in Netherlands.
Danny Makkelie has over 45 Champions league matches to his name and rarely finds himself at the center of the usual controversy regarding officials.
Makkelie was seen selected as a referee for the UEFA Euro 2020, where he was in charge of two group stages matches, the round 16 clash between England and Germany and the Wembley semi-final between England and Denmark.
He was also present in the 2022 FIFA World cup in which he was referee for two group stage matches. In April this year, he was selected to officiate at UEFA 2024 in Germany.
3 Michael Oliver (England)
Oliver is widely regarded as the premier league’s best official, Michael Oliver is another referee who always finds himself under the spotlight in England.
However, he is regularly selected for the grandest events and was part of the team of officials that travelled to Germany for Euro 2024.
He has in no doubt taken charge of two FA cup finals, over 30 champions league ties and the 2022 world cup quarter-finals in which Croatia trashed Brazil.
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The English professional football referee was introduced to refereeing by his father, Clive, at the age of 14. He followed suit in training as the Oliver family enjoyed refereeing.
He was set to become the youngest referee in the premier league when he was appointed to officiate a match between Fulham and Portsmouth in January 2010.
But however, adverse weather condition resulted to him having to postpone the match, and an ankle operation later sidelined him until April that year.
2. Clement Turpin (France)
As well as being Leandro Trossard’s doppelganger, Clement Turpin is a top-class referee. The Frenchman is almost always involved in the latter stages of the champions league, taking charge of the final in 2021/22
He has officiated at two World cups and two European championships to date. With officiating in the Euro 2024 and also officiated two Coupe de France finals to his name.
Clement Turpin was known for his reasonability on the pitch, he has certainly earned respect amongst players through his gracefulness in conducting the game.
Turpin is not that kind of referees that dishes out cards right, left and center, but he also draws the line quickly if anybody in the pitch oversteps.
Last season, Turpin has officiated several important games in Ligue 1 and Europe. Last season the French referee has managed 26 games and has shown only 85 yellow cards, but has shown 5 red cards.
His ability to detect fouls in the penalty area has earned him a place at the top amongst the best referees in football.
Clement Turpin officially became FIFA referee in 2010. He served as a referee in the 2014 and 2018 world cup qualifiers.
He became a referee in the UEFA club competitions from the 2010-11 UEFA Europa league.
FIFA announced in march 2018 that Turpin would officiate at the 2018 FIFA world cup in Russia, with some others as assistant referees.
He was finally selected to officiate at UEFA Euro 2024 that was played in Germany, of which Spain won the trophy.
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1. Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Szymon Marciniak regarded as the best in the refereeing business right now, with his record speaking volumes.
In the last few seasons he has taken charge of 2022 world cup final, the 2022-23 Champions league final and the 2023 FIFA club world cup final.
Given to his being mean and muscular frame, not many players are keen on messing with him in the pitch.
Few referees manage to display control over the game as much as Marciniak does. His ability to remain uninfluenced by the fans and players while making decisions has certainly been noticed as the polish referee went on to manage two biggest games in 2022, the 2022 final and the UEFA champions league final some months later.
Szymon Marciniak has managed 37 games across tournaments and handed out a whopping 163 yellow cards in 2023.
The astonishing amount of cards ushered out by Marciniak further highlights the referee’s no-tolerance policy on the pitch.
Many has considered him to be too harsh, his ability to control games certainly makes him one of the best referees in football right now, if not best even.
