‘We’re being told to cheat with Var’ – Ligue 1 referees frustrated with alleged FA conduct

After a series of high-profile refereeing errors in Ligue 1, the league's officials are calling for a change in leadership

The integrity of refereeing in Ligue 1 has come under fire, with a series of controversial decisions and allegations of behind-the-scenes misconduct painting a troubling picture of the state of officiating in one of Europe's premier football leagues.

A series of controversial decisions in Ligue 1

Recent matches in Ligue 1 have been marred by questionable refereeing standards. Instances such as a flying tackle in Clermont’s penalty box going unnoticed, and an ankle-high lunge during the Reims-Lens match that was reviewed but not met with a red card, have raised eyebrows. 

Further controversy ensued with Sheffield United loanee and Nantes striker Bénie Traoré receiving a 3-game ban for a tackle deemed not to have serious consequences, and Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere expressing outrage over a string of contentious calls during the Lyon-Nice game.

A significant incident reportedly took place at half-time during the Montpellier-Lille match, which has brought the refereeing standards and the French Football Association's (FA) conduct into question. Lille president Olivier Létang's confrontation with the referees, spurred by a wrongful offside call and supported by an exchange with Stéphane Lannoy, the French FA’s technical director in charge of refereeing, highlights the tensions between club officials and the refereeing body.

Referees’ outcry against refereeing chiefs 

The support Létang received from Lannoy, a former international referee, has not only stunned the Ligue 1 referees but also incited criticism towards Lannoy’s leadership and the ambiguous directives regarding the use of VAR. An anonymous Ligue 1 referee’s comments to L’Equipe convey a profound frustration with the training and instructions provided to referees, stating, “The FA’s line is completely blurry and changes through the season... We’re being told to more or less ‘cheat’ with VAR to protect a colleague’s decision, notably with offsides.”

The revelations about the referees being instructed to manipulate VAR decisions to cover up mistakes have cast a shadow over Lannoy's tenure as the French FA's refereeing chief. The lack of clear guidelines and the alleged encouragement to 'cheat' have not only disheartened referees but have also led to a loss of confidence in Lannoy's leadership, with indications that he is set to leave his position.

Ligue 1 referees call for clarity and fairness

The anonymous referee’s sentiments echo a broader concern within the officiating community in Ligue 1. With the inconsistency in decisions and the alleged pressure to alter VAR reviews, referees find themselves at a crossroads, uncertain of how to apply the rules. The call for clarity and fairness is loud, with referees expressing a "deep feeling of unfairness" and a desperate need for consistent, transparent guidelines to restore integrity to French football refereeing.

The situation in Ligue 1 poses serious questions about the future of refereeing standards in the league, the role of VAR, and the governance of football officiating at a national level. As the sport continues to evolve with technological advancements, the need for ethical leadership and clear directives has never been more critical.

Related content