Marc Bollengier agreed to receive us at the beginning of July. For an hour, he opened the doors of his universe to us. That of a 30-year-old young man who is about to live a waking dream: to become an L1 referee. He savors these days which precede his big premiere which should be scheduled for the 2nd day of L2.
It all started by chance in my village.
Marc discovered arbitration by chance. He is only 13, 14 years old when we hand him a whistle. At the time, the young northerner was far from imagining that this match of young members of his club would change his destiny as a football lover.
Arbitration is the school of life.
Marc Bollengier is now convinced that refereeing is a superb apprenticeship for young people. Not only to satisfy their love of football, but also to grow as a man and a woman.
The referee must know how to admit his mistakes.
Our young northern referee absolutely wants to create a bond of trust with other players in the world of football. For him, a “key” word resounds in his mind: respect.
To speak of stress before these great debuts would be excessive. I look forward.
Marc Bollengier will have to wait a few more days before leading his first L1 match. He will officiate this Monday evening in L2. But that does not prevent him from sleeping well. He is prepared to take the plunge into the over-mediatized world of the L1.
Arbitrating is a full-time job.
The former goalkeeper wants to remind him. Arbitrating is a constant profession. But for all that, the former commercial director has organized himself to spare himself a small bubble of oxygen each week.
5 things to know about Marc Bollengier
- He was a goalkeeper before becoming a referee
- He celebrated his 30th birthday on December 16, 2021
- He had 2 express climbs in just 2 years, from National to Ligue 1
- He is licensed at the Sporting Club of Hazebrouck in the North
- He is married and has 2 children, Zadig 2 years old and Isaac 3 months old.
(Re) Watch the last match refereed by Marc Bollengier: Lens-West Ham on Saturday July 30, 2022