Professional Referee (PR) and J.League Referee Mr. MURAKAMI Nobutsugu has retired as a top league referee after the 2021 season. Here we asked Mr. MURAKAMI to reflect on his career as a referee and to give a message to the aspiring referees.

○This interview was conducted online on 7 December 2021

――You have retired as a top league referee. Can you reflect on your career?

MURAKAMI　I became a referee a few years after the start of the J.League, and I feel privileged to be part of an era which saw drastic changes in Japanese football, including Japan's first appearance in the FIFA World Cup, as the position of referees also changed with the introduction of new technologies.

――You started your career as a referee in 1998 and made your J1 League debut on 28 April 2005 in the match between Nagoya Grampus and Tokyo Verdy (5-4). You made your debut in a unique way, as you took over as referee from the second half.

MURAKAMI　Mr. IEMOTO Masaaki was the referee, and I was the fourth official. During the match, I noticed that Mr. IEMOTO got injured and was having a difficult time running. I was thinking that maybe I would have to take over in the second half, which turned out to be the case. The feeling of being rushed into the match was reflected in the way I officiated the second half, and I don't remember anything about the match, except for the fact that I blew the final whistle to finish the game, which turned into a rough one.

――Your final match came in the 34th gameweek of this J1 season, between Nagoya Grampus and Urawa Red Diamonds.

MURAKAMI　I remember every single decision that I made, as well as the conversations I had with the players, and all the words exchanged on the pitch. In that sense, I was able to officiate the match with a completely different mindset compared to my J1 debut.

――After the match, the players gathered to congratulate and toss you into the air.

MURAKAMI　Once I was ready to leave the pitch, I was asked to wait for a moment, and the players started to create a path for me. MAKINO Tomoaki stood in the way, and I instinctively knew what he was looking for, so I used the communication system to inform my referee team that the match was over, therefore the card is not valid, before giving MAKINO the yellow card. It's been a long time since I was tossed in the air like that, and it was truly an amazing feeling.

――How did you feel after the match?

MURAKAMI　I was in great shape and the data showed that I ran about 12 km. It felt like I was back to my old self. Because it was my last match, I was in high spirits, which allowed me to do my best and leave with a very satisfying feeling.

――What are some of the things you kept in mind as a referee?

MURAKAMI　First of all, I made sure to keep my weight under control. I weighed 75 kg when I graduated from university, and since then I've kept my weight between 73 kg and 77 kg while trying not to lose any strength. I trained and watched my diet to keep my body fat under 15%. I lost about three kg for my last match and weighed about 72 kg, and my body fat was about 11%, so I felt very light.

――What would you like to do or try in the future?

MURAKAMI　I'm actually thinking of officiating a high school match for the very last time in Gifu Prefecture, where I live, with people from Gifu. I think it will be at the rookie’s tournament in the New Year, so I will keep training for that. I like riding my bicycle and taking photos, so I would like to visit different places in Gifu to take photos. I would also like to see J.League matches. FC Gifu's home stadium is only about 20 minutes away on a bicycle ride, so I would like to go and see them when I have time.

――Do you have any advice for those who are aspiring to become referees?

MURAKAMI　It's a hard job that requires a lot of effort and training behind the scenes, but you get to run with the players and see the best plays from the best position possible. Whenever you have the time, you should try to kick the ball yourself and get a feel for what constitutes a foul and what challenges you can legitimately win the ball.

――What does being a referee mean to you?

MURAKAMI　Referees are prominent figures in football matches. They enter the pitch before the players and are responsible for blowing the whistle to start the match. Good decisions are rarely noticed, but bad decisions standout immediately. It's a difficult job, but a very rewarding and enjoyable one. I think that once you try it, you will understand its beauty.