Speaking in an interview with France Football, Ligue 1 referee Jérôme Miguelgorry (photo) provided readers with the officials’ perspective as we continue in this period of COVID-19 induced quarantine.
“Before this interview, I had Stéphane Lannoy on the phone, who is part of the DTA (Direction Nationale de L’Arbitrage). He checks in on how we are doing and how families are two times a week. It is true that it is always nice to receive a phone call. Next, with the other referees, we have created a WhatsApp group, we are just like everyone else. Everyone has their own difficulties. It is a place to interact so that we feel less lonely. Even though we are all with our families at home, it is good to keep social connections up with our colleagues.” On how referees are being paid during this period: “As a referee, we have self-employed status. We have a service contract signed with the Federation. We are not salaried, so we are not entitled to partial unemployment. But when you compare yourself to other professions, we don’t have room to complain. We live well, there are no worries. It would be indecent to complain about our situation. When a self-employed person does not work, there is nothing that is coming in money-wise, whether it be for us or for businesses. But there are no worries. Something was planned in case this kind of event happened. We have a training allowance which enables us to live more than decently. And that’s why we train every day.”
