But if any were looking for a holiday companion they might think twice before choosing Eric Poulat, a computer wizard who lists stamp collecting as his preferred pastime.

Swiss managing director Massimo Busacca, in charge of Spain's rout of Ukraine on Wednesday, meanwhile conceded what many fans have doubted - that referees are, after all, human.

"Ours is a thankless task, because everyone expects the referee's performance to be faultless," said the 37-year-old who enjoys rustling up a cordon bleu meal in his spare time.

"No one wants their team to lose - players, managers or fans... But since we are human, we sometimes make mistakes.

Bussacca says that while refs may be flesh and blood it helps to have nerves of steel.

And a cool head.