Léonard’s spray line calms VAR protest in Nice-Lens, not set for Ligue 1 rollout | OneFootball

Referee Thomas Léonard drew a vanishing-spray line to keep players back during a VAR check in Nice’s 1-1 draw with Lens, an eye-catching intervention that appeared to work.

According to L'Équipe, Amaury Delerue, Ligue 1 referees’ manager-instructor, described it as an individual, one-off measure in a particular match, not a directive from the refereeing department or IFAB, and not intended to be systematised.

It came in the 81st minute with Nice trailing 0-1. Ali Abdi levelled after Sofiane Diop’s free-kick, but the goal was reviewed. As players converged, Léonard marked a line and consulted the video team, and the equaliser was then awarded.

The move was set against the backdrop of a high-stakes fixture, its aim to lower pressure on the referee. A rule in place for two years states only captains should address officials, with others liable to a booking, though enforcement can be uneven.

Inside refereeing, the view is that behaviour is improving, backed by statistics, with more yellow cards for dissent. Further reminders to officials are due at a Clairefontaine camp on Tuesday to caution non-captains and to ensure consistency.

Source: L'Équipe