Colin Abgrall 9:00 a.m., October 18, 2021
The requests to put a microphone on the referees are becoming more and more urgent.
Arsène Wenger advocated it.
As part of the presentation of the La Poste arbitration days, Pascal Garibian, technical director of French arbitration, assures us that France is ready to experiment with this innovation as soon as possible.
Do we need full transparency on what is happening on the football fields?
The question very often arises in this sport, between the introduction of specific devices and the hostility of many fans to see the game "perverted" by these innovations.
This is the case with VAR, video refereeing, goal line technology, but also, recently, the sound system for referees during matches.
Today, requests are increasing to equip the men in black with microphones, in order to better understand their decisions.
Pascal Garibian assures him that the French arbitration is favorable to it.
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Wait for the green light from IFAB
For the 60-year-old former referee (226 Ligue 1 matches, 22 international matches), nothing prevents this innovation from being implemented and French arbitration is even very open to it. "We have always been pioneers in innovations in aid tools." But before that, the IFAB, the body which governs the rules of international football, must decide to allow various tests. "When the IFAB allows this experiment, French arbitration will be among the candidates," Garibian reaffirms. The technical director of the refereeing would also see an educational aspect for the televiewers: "It would be fascinating to know the mode of management of the referees, beyond the technical explanation."
There is one point on which everyone agrees. This innovation, which would make it possible to hear the exchanges between the players and the referees, would avoid sometimes incessant disputes on the grounds. Arsène Wenger thinks it would be "a way to raise respect". "If you insult me and I give you a red card, people 50 yards away won't understand. Unless they hear you, it might help." Pascal Garibian is of the same opinion, but also thinks that "the referees have all the means to sanction the players who do not respect their decisions and who do not respect them themselves" even if "that would dissuade a certain challenge".
As football players converge their opinions on referee microphones, only the IFAB can make a difference.
But there is no doubt that this innovation should, one day or another, see the light of day on the lawns of France, Europe and the world.