French Football Federation Unveils New Anti-Violence Measures for Amateur Games

June 14, 2025
French Football Federation Unveils New Anti-Violence Measures for Amateur Games
  • On June 14, 2025, during the Federal Assembly in Clairefontaine, Philippe Diallo, President of the French Football Federation (FFF), announced a series of measures aimed at combating the rising incidents of violence in amateur football.

  • This initiative follows successful trials in the Loire department, where cameras were used in 140 matches since 2017, demonstrating effectiveness in deterring aggressive behavior among players.

  • The primary goal of equipping referees with cameras is to deter violence, as players are expected to behave more appropriately when aware of being filmed.

  • Additional measures proposed include limiting communication with referees to team captains, introducing temporary match suspensions to cool tensions, and implementing a 'white card' system for temporary player suspensions due to misconduct.

  • Diallo also suggested a points-based permit system for coaches and stricter penalties for offenders to enhance accountability.

  • He emphasized the need for strict responses to troublemakers, advocating for increased sanctions, including potential lifetime bans for those who assault referees.

  • The FFF's executive committee recommended that the Federation, along with leagues and districts, file civil complaints in cases of referee assaults to ensure accountability.

  • Diallo has reached out to the Ministries of Justice and the Interior to establish a national framework agreement aimed at enhancing judicial protection for referees.

  • Highlighting an alarming increase in verbal and physical aggression on the fields, Diallo noted that this toxic environment discourages volunteer involvement in the sport.

  • The proposed measures will be implemented starting in the 2025-2026 season, with a commitment from the FFF to act as a civil party in cases of physical assaults on referees.

  • These measures were validated by the FFF's executive committee on June 13, 2025, marking a significant step towards improving safety and sportsmanship in amateur football.

Summary based on 4 sources


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