FIFA made the World Cup video replay refs dress up in full uniform to watch the game on TV

Some notes on FIFA’s decision to have the Video Assistant Referees wear their full referee uniform inside the little television dungeon.

1. Refereeing kits are designed for refereeing. That is: for running around. They have reinforced shoulders to support all the pointing, and a nice little pocket for the nice little pencil. But these people, though they may be referees by trade, are not refereeing. They’re watching television.

And the uniform for watching television it its own specialised thing. You need a belt, so you can take it off, then undo your top button. You need a shirt, well textured for the business of brushing away crumbs. You need a phone in your hand, so you can check Twitter. These poor folks are going to be horribly uncomfortable. Dress for the job you have to do.

2. On the other hand, who are we to judge? We’re all watching the World Cup in full kit, right? Right? Guys?

3. What does do you think they’ve gone for? Cleats would be a bit much. A nice pair of business brogues, we’re guessing. Comfort and style.

4. “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the Var Room!”

5. Perhaps we’re misinterpreting this scene, and this is in fact the refereeing fan club. Let’s hope they make it into the stands soon. The person with the most difficult job on the pitch gets a little morale boost, as a small group of yellow-shirted fans jump to their feet to applaud every decision.

6. We can only hope that, having decided to go this far, they’ve gone all the way. Flags for offside. Arms in the air for indirect free kicks. Cards. Whistles. Loud, piercing whistles, echoing around the room. When they give a penalty, they have to stand up and point dramatically. Then a delegation from the offending team comes in and questions their parentage for a bit.

Otherwise, what would be the point?