Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime hold talks over shock new Premier League documentary
THE PREMIER LEAGUE’S main UK broadcasters have held talks over a new documentary on the lives of top-flight referees.
A fresh report has claimed that an “independent production company are understood to have pitched the programme” to the three domestic rights holders.
And Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime have already discussed the prospect, says the Daily Mail.
However, they also add that the Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL] are yet to sign it off.
Ex-Premier League referee Howard Webb was appointed as the PGMOL’s first chief refereeing officer last year.
And he has attempted to make the body more open and “may be receptive to the idea,” of the doc.
Both Webb and Michael Owenrecently used audio from in-game conversations between officials to explain controversial VAR and refereeing decisions in the newly launched Match Officials Mic’d Up programme.
The premise of the documentary pitch is believed to be “an attempt to humanise referees”.
It is also hoping to give football fans a better understanding of how officials carry out their duties and the pressures they face.
The would-be producers want to film referee training sessions as well as pre and post-game meetings.
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But the Premier League would also need to give their approval as unseen footage from games is also wanted to be used.
The Mail says that a source close to the referees said: “It’s a great idea.
“It would show a different side to them. How hard it is. The pressure they’re under.
“To officiate a Premier League is not easy. One error and you’re vilified. So something such as this might help people see a different side to officials.”