Its dissuasive: in Var, body cameras on referees to fight against violence in amateur football

Since the beginning of the season, the Var football district has been testing body cameras on its referees to limit violent misconduct during amateur matches.

How to reduce violence in amateur sports? The Var Football District, along with a few others in France, is experimenting with a system since the beginning of the season: body cameras worn by referees to ensure their safety. Ten devices film all the matches of the D1, the ninth division of Var, a department where violence has been increasing on the field this year. In March, a player was stabbed at the end of a heated match between Avignon and Toulon.

In Saint-Mandrier, near Toulon, two teams face each other under a scorching sun and 27 degrees Celsius. An exceptional weather for this late April. Also exceptional: the monitored match is a D3 encounter. Saint-Mandrier, fifth in the ranking, hosts Le Beausset, second.

The stakes are high, so much so that the League’s prevention committee sees it as a high-risk match. James is in charge. He attaches the camera to his chest using a harness and turns it on. It records continuously. “Today, you are being filmed, so let’s try to keep it in the spirit,” he announces before the start of the match.

“I will let you play, let me referee.”

James, referee

– franceinfo

After 90 intense minutes, five yellow cards were issued, notably for a very strong tackle from a defender. Final score: 3-1 for Le Beausset, whose fans set off two smoke bombs. The players come to celebrate with them, raising tension. “That’s enough, go to your homes!,” the referee says firmly. The two teams head back to their locker rooms, but the pressure remains high. Joris, the right winger from Saint-Mandrier, expresses his annoyance: “There were insults and such. That’s the part I didn’t like. I can understand, we celebrate, we are happy… But we are in people’s homes, we respect.“

Other than that, James encountered no difficulties during this match. The referee even saw a player suddenly calm down in front of him. “The player came, very aggressively, saying, ‘No, there is no fault, referee’. But as soon as they saw the camera, they held back a bit. It’s really deterrent. Disputes happen from a much longer distance,” he notes.

The initial responses are 100% in favor, like Yanis, the midfielder from Le Beausset. He received a yellow card, but states: “Frankly, it’s influential, on behavior, insults… It calms us down a bit. Since we are being filmed, we know we are being watched. It’s good!“

The entire D1 season, under the surveillance of these body cameras, has gone smoothly as assured by André Vitiello, the president of the Var district. “The behavior has completely changed,” he points out. “The matches are going as well as possible; We are considering equipping the D2 next season.” He plans to purchase 12 cameras. At 600 euros each, the total cost exceeds 7,000 euros.

This investment can, however, help reassure young referees and retain them. “People think their kid is going to become a professional,” explains André Vitiello. “From there, unfortunately, they completely change in terms of behavior. We often target young referees, who are still learning.” This season in Var, there have been few incidents targeting referees. Apart from three amateur players, each suspended for 18 years, after kicking and punching a referee during a match. A historic sanction.