Do football referees have to be equipped with microphones?

Virginie Phulpin 7:35 am, September 21, 2021

This is the sports editorial of Virginie Phulpin. Do football referees have to be equipped with microphones? It is the new workhorse of Jean-Michel Aulas. The Lyon president did not digest the penalty awarded to Neymar for PSG on Sunday. For you, football has everything to gain by imitating rugby and equipping its referees with microphones.

You know Jean-Michel Aulas. When the Lyon president has a new idea, it's not easy to take it out of his mind. And so much the better in this specific case. If the disputed penalty awarded to Neymar can be the starting point for a real breakthrough for arbitration, we are not going to complain. We need more transparency among the referees. If they are equipped with microphones, if both players and spectators hear the explanations he has to give after a whistle, it will defuse a lot of protests. What often poses a problem is the decision that falls without any justification. There is always someone there to feel cheated on the pitch, in the stands, and even among viewers in their living room. That we hear the referee, and that we also hear the dialogue between the officials of the Var,video assistance, and the man in black. “We have just reviewed the images, you may have made a mistake, I advise you to look at the screen. Then, the referee maintains his decision or changes it, it always belongs to him obviously, but everyone understands the progress. Since video assistance exists and we will obviously not go back, as much as it is for the better, and not just for the worse.

Referees equipped with microphones, it works perfectly in rugby

You can ask everyone in rugby. Players, referees, viewers, everyone praises the virtues of microphones. With rugby that has become more professional, it could have caused tension on the pitch and gone all over the place. But no. This dialogue reinforced thanks to the microphones, the better understanding of the decisions of the referees, that on the contrary calmed the spirits. So why not apply to football what works elsewhere? In addition, there is almost unanimity on the subject. The first concerned, the arbitrators, are in favor. Vincent Labrune, the president of the League, has already said that he is in favor of this development. The problem is that we have to convince FIFA. And that's another story. Improving refereeing is the least of his concerns.The international body has a World Cup every two years to swallow the whole planet, so our little problems of transparency in arbitration, it's a little less seller. FIFA should still think twice, she who is obsessed with bringing the younger generations back to football. Referees equipped with microphones, that means that the spectator finds himself at the heart of the game, there is an “inside” side which would not displease the youngest. That can tip the balance of FIFA more easily than ethics.Referees equipped with microphones, that means that the spectator finds himself at the heart of the game, there is an “inside” side which would not displease the youngest. That can tip the balance of FIFA more easily than ethics.Referees equipped with microphones, that means that the spectator finds himself at the heart of the game, there is an “inside” side which would not displease the youngest. That can tip the balance of FIFA more easily than ethics.