Ligue 1 is “not ready” to accommodate refereeing sound systems

The referee’s sound system during Ligue 1 football matches will ultimately not be implemented at the start of the season, Radio France’s Sports Directorate learned on Wednesday, August 14, partially confirming information from Le Parisien. According to a source close to the case, this is because “Not all Ligue 1 stadiums are ready to accommodate sound system technology.”

The new goal is therefore to implement this technology by “January 2025”since “everyone is unanimous” on the subject. It is necessary, “until the end of the second half of 2024, try to bring the stadiums that need it up to standard”.

The reason for the postponement of the arrival of the referees’ sound system, “is not an economic motive unlike VAR (Video Assistance Refereeing) in Ligue 2”repeats this source contacted by Radio France. The installation of VAR for Ligue 2 clubs is estimated at 800,000 euros.

The sound system for refereeing in football has been tested several times in recent years, such as during the final of the Women’s French Cup last May. And already three months ago, the desire to implement this new technology was unanimous, but this installation was subject to its technical feasibility in the stadiums so that the sound could be recovered and the referee could explain his decisions to the public.