The president of the LFP, Frederic Thiriez has this week called for the use of technology in football, which he feels will improve the standard of refereeing in the modern game.
The number of refereeing errors appears to be greater than ever, while the debate over video referees rages on in the footballing world. The French chief recently criticised UEFA and FIFA in refusing to improve the standards of refereeing and outlined the importance of the usage of technology in the modern game. He said: “We do not have the right to leave the referee facing the general blame.” He added: “A number of sports use video. There is no serious reason why football remains at a distance and lags behind. The fatality of the refereeing errors is not a part of this game, it is not right, all judicial errors are not part of justice.”
The statements follow the heartbreaking events in Paris for the Irish after Thierry Henry’s handball was missed by all the officials which effectively sent Ireland out of the competition and out of next summer’s World Cup. When asked about the technicalities of the equipment, Thiriez responded: “It is not about generalising the video to the whole of the pitch, but for specific and objective cases. Whether the ball crosses the line? Is there a foul in the area? Has the ball struck a hand or not?” The French chief believes that this usage of technology could eradicate no less than 30% of refereeing errors. The president of the LFP finished by taking a swipe at the presidents of the footballing bodies, FIFA and UEFA, Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini respectively and said: “I have underestimated the power of conservatism in the football world.”
Moving on to the European stage and both French teams representing Ligue 1 in this season’s Europa League are still in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. With Lyon and Bordeaux already safely through to the next stage of the Champions League and Marseille not out of it yet, Ligue 1’s representatives are doing the league and the nation proud this campaign. The performances and results acquired by some of France’s top tier are yet further evidence of an emerging force on the European stage. Lille suffered an away defeat in Valencia thanks to a brace from winger Joaquin and a slick finish from Juan Mata, with Aurelien Chedjou replying for the visitors late on. Although defeated on the night, Lille need to claim three points from their last group game to qualify for the last 32 of the competition. Similarly Toulouse’s fate will be decided in the final group game after Daniel Braaten scored the only goal of the game to see off Partisan Belgrade at the Stadium All
