Michael Gerlinger says France’s refereeing is where Germany was 10 years ago | OneFootball

Michael Gerlinger has urged sweeping reforms to French refereeing, arguing France sits where Germany was 10 years ago and that the Premier League and Bundesliga offer the template. According to L'Équipe, the clubs’ working group on officiating will present proposals to the Ligue 1 college this month.

Matchday 24 again brought controversy as Lyon lost 2-3 at Marseille on Sunday. Gerlinger lamented that a similar incident against Nantes, a 3-0 win on 30 November, triggered VAR, whereas it did not at Marseille, adding several calls heightened tension and that referees also owe accountability to clubs and players.

Earlier on Sunday, Nice were beaten 0-1 at Paris FC, then on Monday questioned the coherence of recent decisions, saying they have consistently gone against them. The club called for consistency, warning that contradictory rulings between matchdays 20 and 24 undermine trust and the competition’s credibility.

On Monday, Lille president Olivier Létang, who chairs the Ligue 1 college, presented to the refereeing directorate the findings of a group comprising himself, AS Monaco’s Thiago Scuro and Gerlinger. Gerlinger has studied Premier League and Bundesliga structures and drafted a note to improve decision-making coherence and relations between stakeholders.

The note rests on four pillars to be detailed in March. First, organisation and responsibility, with refereeing seen as more structured and professional in Germany and England, featuring distinct entities and departments. Second, communication, with less authoritarian dynamics and more constructive exchanges, and greater consideration of league views. Third, clearer technical procedures. Fourth, exploring future use of AI, not yet employed. Gerlinger urged collaboration over conflict to improve officiating.

Source: L'Équipe