How can we explain the dichotomy that exists in rugby between the respect shown to the referee, on the field, and the harsh criticism about him, on the sidelines of matches?
Gaël Fickou: I think rugby is one of the hardest sports to referee in the world. I often talk about it with my coaches: it’s almost always 50/50. The decision can swing one way or the other. When it’s on our side, we’re happy, when it’s on the other, we’re less so. For example, a tackle can start low but go up… The situations are extremely complex to interpret and everyone can do it depending on the jersey they are supporting.
If we dissect each ruck, we have the impression that we can whistle for or against the two teams…
G. F. : And we whistle every thirty seconds! Some referees whistle very often… and we don’t understand. If they don’t whistle enough… we don’t understand either. As a result, it is true that referees, respected on the field, are criticized off it. And we must stop criticizing them from outside. Even if we are not happy, we should not say it, because it creates negative energies and it shows a bad image to young people. Sometimes I’m unhappy with the refereeing, but I don’t say it in the press, I don’t look for excuses.
If we had been clearly superior, we would have won (the quarter against the Boks)
Especially since there is a “human” issue. During the 2023 World Cup, even before the start of the half between South Africa and England, Ben O’Keeffe was whistled by the Stade de France…
G. F. : [Il coupe] I have never criticized Ben O’Keeffe or his decisions, he knows whether he was wrong or not. His decisions weighed heavily but he’s human, he can make mistakes. If we had been clearly superior, we would have won (in the quarter-final against South Africa, Editor’s note).
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What message do you want to send to young people, in particular, so that they can manage their frustration when they feel wronged?
G. F. : To control yourself, firstly, you have to tell yourself that it will not change the referee’s decision. When he makes a decision, whether he is wrong or not, he whistles. Second, we come back to it: the referee is a human. He inevitably makes mistakes, like us, as players and as people. You have to understand and accept it to respect the referees.
As captain of Racing 92, you have an interface role to play.
G. F. : Yes, in rugby, only the captain has the right to speak to the referee. We are used to this. When I speak to the referee, I try to do it as calmly and respectfully as possible. Sometimes he explains his decision to me and I don’t agree with him… but it’s still his decision. You have to be able to move on.
HAS my humble opinion (the 20 minute red card)… it’s good
G. F. : In my humble opinion… it’s good. I am no one to dictate what we must do, but if this measure is generalized, it is not bad news in my eyes. Taking a red card after fifteen minutes, for example, weighs so much on the match.
Even if Racing proved that this was not prohibitive, during the Top 14 final in 2016.
G. F. : [Il sourit] Exactly ! There is no truth, it’s sport. But we’re here to have fun and produce a great game. When it’s balanced, it’s better.
Interview carried out as part of the Arbitration days La PosteWednesday October 16 in Issy-les-Moulineaux.
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