The FFF and Philippe Diallo counterattack. Two days after the open letter written by seventeen Ligue 1 clubs requesting the resignation of Antony Gautier, the technical director of French arbitration, the interim president reacted this Saturday evening, a few minutes after the setback conceded by the Blues against Germany in Lyon.
Firm, Philippe Diallo was keen to recall “the independence of arbitration”. “It is up to me to guarantee this independence. This is a red line that cannot be crossed. International bodies prohibit any interference with arbitration. It’s even a form of protection for the championships. From this point of view, I believe that everyone must find a form of serenity to ensure that the end of the season, in terms of refereeing, takes place under normal conditions and in a peaceful atmosphere,” said the successor to Noël Le Graët.
A few hours later Jean-Michel Aulas, his vice-president, Philippe Diallo also reinforced Antony Gautier in his functions, he who was appointed interim head of French arbitration to replace Stéphane Lannoy at the beginning of March. “Antony Gautier has my confidence to lead French arbitration, as he has done for many months. He is in post and must continue his mission, he will act as interim until the end of the season. We must not rush anything, then there will be a successor.”
A reform of French arbitration to come
The president of the FFF then highlighted his desire and that of the Federation to begin a reform of French refereeing in the coming months. “The Federation had even anticipated these questions, since I myself commissioned a report to draw up an observation on the arbitration, which gives a certain number of recommendations. I have already given instructions to create a group dedicated to studying these recommendations and implementing them. Things are extremely clear from this point of view. We are not sweeping the dust under the carpet but on the contrary we are highlighting a certain number of points. Today I find it curious that we have come to point out a certain number of things that we had anticipated, that we put on the table and on which I am ready to initiate discussions so that French football continues to progress. »
Philippe Diallo finished by reminding those involved in French football of his desire to end the season in “serenity”. “I call on French professional clubs to find a form of appeasement in their criticism and come see us at the Federation to begin thinking about the reforms to come. »
