Earlier this season I was interested to learn that Premier League clubs were sent a list of dietary demands for their match officials.
The was the new head of refereeing, Howard Webb, focusing on nutrition and performance in his aim to improve referees in the top flight.
A number of changes in food provided were requested for match days. For instance, fatty foods and those high in fibre and nuts are banned for match officials, as more blood goes into the muscles leaving less for digestion.
The required meals were split into pre-match and post-match. Before the game the list is fairly short, as referees should only have fresh fruit, breakfast bars and rice cakes with butter spread.
Referees are required to be at the ground at least two hours prior to the match and these items will be quicker to digest whilst they prepare for the game.
After the match a wider selection is requested such as protein with vegetables and salads. This could be hot breaded chicken salad wraps, stir fry’s, curries and pasta, also mangos and melons. Others are fishcakes, sushi, nut bars, fruit and cake to be available.
Some have queried if this would be possible for caterers at football clubs. I obviously can’t talk of other clubs but having eaten often in Reading’s former training ground canteen, I would say their chefs will welcome providing such food.
Others have asked why all this fuss? The answer is simple, referees need to be fit for their games.
Many tests have shown that referees cover more ground than most players during a match, but players speed has increased.
For instance, in 2012 it was revealed that top flight football were 20% faster than in 2007. Movement and positions are for referees, the key to making the right decisions.
So everything is aimed at getting to the right place at the right time. If you watch referees, you’ll see they often spend a lot of time standing or walking. But they must be quick off the mark and able to sprint when required.
One other reason for such detailed pre match food is what is known as PPR, a pre performance routine, before going out on to the field.
Howard Webb would tell you that before a match, he always went through the same procedures, in the same order, because he didn’t want any distractions.
This meant all his mental energy and focus could be on the game to come. And he’s someone who should know.
By Dick Sawdon Smith
