Macron supports UEFA’s “Be a Referee!” project

Being in the right place at the right time, knowing all the rules, managing conflict, taking difficult decisions and team leadership. These are essential characteristics an any true leader. They are also typical of the people who take charge of all UEFA competitions. In the matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League group stage, the referees will take to the pitch with the message “BE A REFEREE!” on their shirts.

The idea is part of a project to encourage young people to take up refereeing as a career and to become positive role models and leaders on the pitch and in everyday life. Becoming and serving as a referee demands professionalism, technical and athletic skills, problem-solving abilities and leadership. This same journey of personal development is also what it takes to succeed in everyday and professional life.

Macron, the Official UEFA Referee Match Kit Supplier, shares these same values and supports UEFA in this new initiative. The message “BE A REFEREE” will appear on the front and back of the referees’ shirts in all matches of this round of the Champions League. In addition to customised kits, the campaign will be backed up by signage around the stadiums and will also be mentioned by radio and TV commentators before during the games.

“In work and in life, developing the ability to make decisions, handle critical situations and conflict, know the rules and lead a team enables people to achieve ambitious targets,” explains Gianluca Pavanello, CEO of Macron. “These are winning characteristics in a company and on the pitch. And these are exactly the characteristics that the referee training programme develops. We fully support this initiative and the values it conveys. Referees play an essential role and we are happy to help them by supplying them with high performance, comfortable and practical sportswear.”

“Being referee is a very difficult job and courage is the most important value for refereeing. - said UEFA's chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti - Protecting football, protecting the image of the game is our common goal. UEFA Referees are delighted to have Macron in our family. Same values and great challenges for the future.”