Haute-Loire is the first Auvergne department to equip its football referees with cameras during matches. A device intended to reduce the number of incivilities. In Saint-Julien-Chapteuil, the first meeting filmed by a referee took place this Saturday, January 11.
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For the Haute-Loire football district, this is the new thing at the start of January. On the whistle during the match between Saint-Julien-Chapteuil and Brive Charensac, in the round of 16 of the Coupe de Haute-Loire, Ghislain Champeaux is the first referee to be equipped with a device with a GoPro camera.
“Explaining to the player before the match that we are equipped with a GoPro and that we can see and hear them, I think that will calm the enthusiasm of some people. I think it will help a lot in terms of refereeing. And then the players, I think they will keep quiet!” welcomes the referee.
Used only for high-stakes matches or at risk of strong disputes, this equipment is intended to reduce the number of incivilities. The referee films the match in its continuity. Today, the derby is far from friendly. The winner will advance to the round of 16. A contested meeting, but without argument. “It will calm down the meetings. We see this clearly today, where there is no discussion and decisions are taken calmly”welcomes Laurent Lerat, president of the Haute-Loire football district.
For coaches, often sports educators, the camera can certainly be a deterrent, but it is also an educational tool. It allows for more peaceful relationships between the referee and the players, according to Florian Crespe, coach of Olympique Saint-Julien-Chapteuil playing in Regional 3: “It calms things down, even the players verbalize differently so I think it’s a great idea. We need to see him more often.” The Haute-Loire district has 2 cameras for the entire season. The images will only be used in the event of disciplinary advice, in support of the referee’s testimony. But the football district is counting above all on the preventive aspect of the system.
Comments collected by Laurent Cluzel for France 3 Auvergne
