Ligue 1: “The arbitration of our Ligue 1 does not seem to be up to the challenge today”, the clubs are demanding the departure of Antony Gautier

Anthony Gautier is no longer unanimous among Ligue 1 clubs. MAXPPP – Alexis Christiaen (GDP)

Seventeen Ligue 1 clubs requested, Friday March 22, the departure of Technical Director of Refereeing (DTA) Antony Gautier.

Seventeen Ligue 1 clubs requested in a press release on Friday the departure of Technical Director of Refereeing (DTA) Antony Gautier, estimating that "dialogue and trust (were) definitively broken".

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"The arbitration of our Ligue 1 does not seem today to be at the level of (…) issues, as illustrated by the numerous errors and controversies, every weekend, on almost all of the Ligue 1 pitches. The images provided by the VAR and available to the referees make them even more incomprehensible, even less acceptable (…) The clubs are demanding the change of Mr. Antony Gautier, the l' current director of arbitration of the French Football Federation (FFF), with whom dialogue and trust are definitively broken", indicate the Ligue 1 clubs.

The clubs demand the broadcast of the audit

The residents of L1 also demand "the dissemination of the audit carried out by Madame Dominique Laurent and transmitted to the FFF Comex, as well as the measures proposed which could serve as a basis for reflection, discussion and development between all parties concerned and in particular a reorganization and redefinition of the very ambiguous role of the Federal Commission of Referees (CFA)."

This press release comes at a time when French refereeing is going through a very serious crisis, between controversies over the decisions of officials, use of VAR and a battle of egos. This situation led to the dismissal by the FFF of Stéphane Lannoy, technical director of arbitration delegated to the professional sector, reputed to be close to the leaders of the professional clubs, but contested by some of the referees and at odds with Antony Gautier.

Gautier has three hats… 

Until the end of the season, it is Antony Gautier who will act as interim manager, holding three hats, that of boss of French referees, that of manager of professional referees and that of VAR manager.