WATCH: Fascinating insight into how referees talk to players following Ligue 1 test

FOOTBALL WATCH: Fascinating insight into how referees talk to players following Ligue 1 test

Joel Omotto • 18:30 - 19.04.2023

The French top flight implemented a new scheme that saw a referee wearing a microphone that captured his every word and interactions with players.

Fans across the world are calling for referees to be fully audio-equipped after a fascinating scene in Ligue 1 when the French FA recently trailed a referee being mic’d up.

The French top-tier division game between Lyon and Nantes saw referee Benoit Millot wearing a mic that captured his every word during the clash, giving fans a fascinating insight into how officials and players interact on the pitch.

The footage shows Millot dishing out orders and having a dialogue with players as he attempted to exert control over proceedings.

In the opening scene of the Amazon Prime footage, the 41-year-old can be heard telling the players to tone things down as tempers flared in the match. He bellowed: "Guys, some duels are becoming more intense. We need to be more careful during the duels and right after."

The cautious official then appeared to warn Nantes star Joao Victor to take heed of his warnings as the defender had already been booked, adding: "Mr Joao you have already received a yellow card; don’t take any chances with this kind of stuff. Don’t take a risk, be clever. Be clever.”

However, former Arsenal striker and Lyon captain Alexandre Lacazette was not happy with Millot's leniency and implored the ref to be sterner. But sticking to his guns, the French official explained: "I totally agree with you on that. But giving him another yellow card, that’s not fair.”

And when Lacazette pleaded with Millot to warn the opposition star, Millot retorted: "That’s what I did. Did you see me do it? No? You didn’t see me do it?"

As the match approached its conclusion, the match official rallied up the players and declared: "We are down the stretch now, guys. Let’s go, Mathieu, Florian, Antonine, everyone. Everything needs to be perfect. We have to be prepared in case of a crucial decision in the game. I’m just trying to hurry up so we can resume.”

According to L’Equipe, FFF are continuing to push for the modernisation of the country’s refereeing system.

The report adds that IFAB, the body responsible for the laws of the game, have been asked for permission to incorporate mic’d up refs into matches, or at least during VAR footage.