Iliyan Pashov | The Football Referee
Wreathed in reminiscence. Restored to this great theatre of dreams. Feelings and emotions worthy of tears, worthy of thrills. Twelve years since that trembling linesman, tiptoed unconfidently for the first time onto the touchline of “Hristo Botev” football stadium.
Today, on this rainy Sunday evening on Dec. 3, Iliyan Pashov is once again heading for his position on the field. But this time, he is walking towards the center of the pitch as a chief referee. Iliyan flips the coin so he can direct Pirin Blagoevgrad and “Lokomotiv 1929” Sofia to take their sides for the first half of the game. “Head or tail,” he asks the captains of the teams.
Then, Iliyan quickly puts his winter gloves and blows the whistle to officiate yet another football fixture in his career. Illuminated by the dazzling lights of the stadium, he follows the game closely and tries to make immaculate split-second decisions. Despite always looking for the right turn of events, however, Iliyan admits sometimes whistling wrong calls intentionally to benefit both teams.
“As a chief referee, I am responsible for the unfolding situations in a match, including the final result, behavior of the players, and expectations of the fans,” he says. “For this reason, it’s important that my decisions assess and align with the psychological shift in both players and fans’ minds,” Iliyan explains further.
Captured by the adrenaline and the spirit of the game, the fans are clapping and beating the drums in dramatic synchrony turning the stadium into a gladiatorial arena. The clamorous traditional chants of the tifos remind Iliyan of the first time when he attended the “Hristo Botev” stadium.
“I remember being very little. Holding my mother’s hand, I was climbing to the highest seat. Suddenly, I was surrounded by a tiered mass of people. Wearing the same kit and color. Reunited by common values and beliefs. It was this magical night when I discovered my passion for football and first felt a sense of belonging,” says Iliyan.
But beyond establishing valuable connections in his hometown, Iliyan shares how football has helped him to escape from the severe homesickness and loneliness while living in Italy. “Through conducting weekend matches for five years in Milan,” he explains, “I managed to survive through hard moments, adapt to the new culture, and make new friends in a completely unknown environment.”
Since Iliyan’s return to Bulgaria in 2005, there is no day when he doesn’t thank God for solacing him physically and psychologically through refereeing. “Giving me the opportunity to officiate weekly games, God was the main consolation in my darkest times spending abroad,” admits the referee with a hand on his heart.
Now. An hour and a half later. Iliyan whistles the end of the game between Pirin Blagoevgrad and “Lokomotiv 1929”. The lessons and wisdom that refereeing has taught him throughout these years describe Iliyan’s contemplations for life.
“The distinction between when to listen to your heart and when to trust your mind is a philosophy I live by in my career, personal, friends, and family lives,” says Iliyan.
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Georgi Nichev is double-majoring in Journalism and Business Administration at the American University in Bulgaria. His biggest desire is to pursue a career in Sports Journalism.