AS Monaco’s Stance on Refereeing: A Bold Proposal to Improve Fairness in Football Matches

Since the start of the season, officiating has been a hot topic in Ligue 1. On Sunday night, Lyon claimed they were unfairly treated during their 3-2 loss against PSG. The same sentiment was echoed by Monaco after their 4-1 defeat to RC Lens. On Tuesday, L’Équipe reported that the club sent a letter to the French Football Federation, expressing a desire for a meeting on refereeing issues. They want officials, coaches, and captains from Ligue 1 to come together to enhance dialogue and improve the situation. Thiago Scuro emphasized the importance of organizing this discussion in a calm environment.

“It’s not personal, and we’re not doing this just to complain about decisions affecting Monaco. Officiating plays a crucial role in football, and I believe there should be more opportunities for dialogue to find solutions together and help improve officiating. Currently, the general mindset feels too closed off and focused solely on protecting referees. Mistakes will always happen, but there should be more clarity, especially regarding the instructions given to referees. It’s not always easy to understand decisions or the criteria behind them, which can vary in similar situations. The use of video technology should serve to support the main referees, but there have been instances where it has led to more confusion than clarity. No, AS Monaco does not intend to be a guide on this topic. We simply want to encourage the Federation to pay more attention to officiating and to listen to clubs, coaches, and players—they know the rules and how to play the game better than anyone. The closer we can get the referees to the clubs and the players, the easier it will be to reach an understanding.” It remains to be seen whether the FFF will be receptive to this proposal, but it is likely to be viewed positively by other Ligue 1 teams.