Amateur football, a cornerstone of our community life, is facing an alarming increase in violence. From alarming national figures to strict sanctions in Meurthe-et-Moselle, discover the concrete measures to restore respect and ethics on the pitches.
Amateur football is going through turbulent times. According to the FFF’s Behavior Observatory, around 1.8% of national matches are now marked by incidents, totaling more than 12,000 games per season. This trend particularly affects referees, who are targeted in 38% of cases, as well as coaches and officials.
In response to this rise in misconduct, the Meurthe-et-Moselle District has adopted a zero-tolerance policy. The increase in disciplinary cases has led to exemplary sanctions: suspensions ranging from 6 to 12 matches for offenses such as insults, violence, or intimidation towards officials. This strict approach aims to protect the integrity of the game and its participants. Laurent Pilloni sheds light on this phenomenon in the sporting spirit.
FAQ: New figures on combating violence
What is the FFF’s training goal for 2026? The Federation has committed to ensuring that 100% of coaches and officials are trained to detect and address unacceptable behavior by the end of the 2025-2026 season.
How extensive is the Federal Educational Program (PEF) today? In 2025, the PEF involves over 800,000 young licensed players and is actively used by more than 5,600 clubs in France to promote civility and respect.
How is the FFF strengthening security checks? Since the 2023-2024 season, the integrity check (background verification) has been automated and extended to 26,191 referees, as well as all officials and individuals working with minors. Over 88,000 checks have been conducted since 2020.
What are the automatic sanctions for serious offenses in 2025? The disciplinary scale for 2024-2025 has tightened automatic penalties:
- Gross misconduct: 3-match suspension.
- Abusive behavior: Up to 8-match suspension.
- Serious injury to others: Up to 4 years of firm suspension for the most severe cases (ITT > 8 days).
What are the referee numbers for the 2024-2025 season? To ensure matches are held under good conditions, France has 26,191 referees, including 1,445 women and 1,645 very young referees (under 15). Protecting this group is a top priority of the fight against misconduct plan launched in June 2025.
