A week after the defeat of Brest-Monaco, Eric Roy, the Breton coach, ranted against the use of VAR in Ligue 1.
Hotly, Pierre Lees-Melou had regretted the fact that Brest ” disturbs » to find himself at the top of the table, regretting several refereeing decisions unfavorable to his team. Cold, Eric Roy is still angry, and the Breton coach expressed his thoughts via Instagram.
“My football hurts, confided the SB29 coach. A few days after our match in Monaco and trying to gain some perspective and perspective, I still can’t find the words to describe the feeling of injustice and incomprehension that drives us. Consistency is the very essence for a relationship of trust to be established between those involved in the game, referees, players, staff. However, too many situations are analyzed in disparate ways. »
“How and why does VAR inform the referee about certain game actions and not others? asks Eric Roy. Why does he intervene to correct certain decisions (2 canceled goals) and not others (flagrant foul in the penalty area on Jérémy Le Douaron)? Why does DNA communicate at the start of the season its desire to leave more room for play, to whistle less for minor faults and at the same time to cancel our first goal (not very obvious fault by Pierre Lees Melou)? »
Modify the system?
The former Nice coach gives a negative assessment of the arrival of video in football. “Today, technology puts a lot of pressure on referees, he believes. From now on, matches are managed by VAR which can, according to the rules in force, influence the result of a match. While we have all imagined a more reliable and fairer system, in reality it remains subject to the same problems of interpretation and subjectivity as before. The most serious thing is that it has the effect of disempowering our referees and instead of helping them, it continues to put them in difficulty. »
Eric Roy is looking for solutions to help referees. “I am aware that their task is very difficult and that they are very exposed and also convinced that our referees are honest and competent, he said. Always wanting more ethics and justice in order to respect our work and our daily commitment, the system is now revealing its limits. Should we make changes within the system, new directions or a deeper reflection on how to govern the laws of the game? » The debate is open…
