How to better use video assistance? Faced with the incessant controversies over VAR and after the dismissal of Stéphane Lannoy, technical director delegated to professional arbitration, the boss of French arbitration Antony Gautier was forced to explain himself in the columns of The Team.
The boss of the men in black defended video assistance, even if he admitted “some misuses”. “When you look at the obvious errors fixed (74%), it’s impossible to say that video assistance doesn’t work. What is true is that there are sources of improvement,” he explained.
A sound system for referees at the end of the season?
Main line of thought which will be implemented until the end of the season: better use of VAR in important moments of matches. “This is what’s new: the use of video assistance for managerial purposes in particular moments,” explains Antony Gautier. Two examples: in added time, if a penalty is whistled. Even if the referee is confident, it may be appropriate to move in front of the screen to confirm the decision. Likewise, if at the start of the match, a red card is shown, even if the referee has no doubts, he is authorized to move. The video assistance tool must be more authorized. »
Another new feature which does not concern VAR is the sound system for the referees. The boss of French refereeing – “convinced by the educational merits that this sound system would bring” – wants to implement it as soon as possible in professional championships.
“The referees have been trained since the beginning of February. It now remains to answer the technological questions for the 18 Ligue 1 stadiums. When the LFP is ready and if it wishes, this will be done as soon as possible. By the end of the season if possible. Otherwise at the start of the next one. And potentially in Ligue 2,” he explained. For the moment, tests will be carried out on the men’s and women’s Coupe de France finals as well as the four D1 Arkema play-off matches.
