meet referees from all over the world

CANAL + SPORT – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18 AT 8:55 P.M. – DOCUMENTARY

Without them, no match. Examined, criticized, sometimes insulted, even physically abused, the referees form a strange family, rather silent, where sleepless nights spent in dissecting an unfortunate or questionable decision are numerous.

Produced by the Canal + sports department, co-directed by former professional football referee Tony Chapron, who became a consultant on the encrypted channel, and journalist Jérôme Godard, this documentary allows us to better understand what a referee feels in a universe both exciting and brutal.

The idea of ​​entrusting the one who has directed more than a thousand football matches this trip around the world, to meet former football, rugby or basketball referees (from Yaoundé to Philadelphia via Hanover, Pontoise or Seville) , made it possible to release lyrics that are usually rare.

“We, the referees, are used to living in a world of silence, leaving the field free to fantasies, criticism and sometimes insults”, Chapron emphasizes at the start of this documentary. Beyond the memories given by big names in refereeing like Nigel Owens, Pascal Gaüzere (rugby), Joey Crawford (basketball), Sidi Alioum or Pierluigi Collina (football), Chapron also gives voice to coaches (Christophe Galtier , Didier Deschamps) and to players (Marco Verratti, Thierry Dusautoir) who talk about their sometimes delicate relationship with the men at the whistle.

“Records”

Another speaker, sports psychologist Mattia Piffaretti, also explains how a referee may feel who has “The pleasure of acting alone”. To be loved by the players? It is not the goal. “The only recognition that matters is when the players come to shake your hand at the end of the match”, summarizes Chapron.

Be respected ? “I was afraid for my physical integrity”, admits the yet impressive Collina. Christophe Galtier, current coach of OGC Nice, remembers “To have seen certain club presidents taking out files on the referee before the meetings in order to draw up a profile, to know if he easily takes out the boxes…” For him “The good referee is the one I don’t see during the match!” “

Clément Turpin, an experienced French referee, agreed to be fitted with a microphone and followed by a camera during a Ligue 1 match between Nantes and Strasbourg. His interventions, his speeches, his facial expressions allow to better understand the complexity of his task in full action.

Another highlight of this documentary, at the very end: the discovery of rare “women in black”. Nada Benmerieme, 19, tells the story of hell suffered on a field in the Paris region: insults, threats, attacks. Andrea, 19 years old – cited only by her first name -, assumes her passion, without having too many illusions: “The referee is in a hostile environment, that motivates me! ”