Ifab refuses live sound from referees in France

Silenced. Ifab, the body that determines the laws of the game, refused France’s request to sound the Ligue 1 referees live next season and during the final of the Coupe de France between Toulouse and Nantes, AFP learned on Wednesday April 26 from the French Federation of soccer. Despite all the steps taken by the FFF, “Ifab clearly answered no”said the president of the Federal Commission of Referees and member of the Comex of the Federation, Eric Borghini.

“It’s a disappointment because there is a real enthusiasm, a real demand and a consensus on the subjectlaments Eric Borghini. We respect the decisions, but we will continue to lobby for the sound system of the referees, we are not giving up. The Executive Committee of the French Football Federation had made a first request for the next Ligue 1 season on January 19, before making the same request for the final of the Coupe de France on April 11. Each time, the FFF received a negative response from Ifab.

French referees will also not be able to explain themselves to the public after a match about VAR (video assistance for refereeing) decisions. Eric Borghini however specified that the referees will be equipped with a microphone during the final of the Coupe de France. The FFF has this time received authorization to broadcast extracts of their communications on a delayed basis. “for purposes of education and transparency”.