Sebastien Desiage, Ligue 1 referee and former President of the Union of Elite Football Referees, died this Thursday, 10 September 2020, at the age of 46. He was a member of the Board of Directors since 2013, and President of SAFE from 2017 to 2018. Born on 4 February 1974 in Saint-Etienne, Sebastien Desiage started to referee in 1991. After ten seasons in the Rhône-Alpes League, he joined the Federation that he will never leave: 4 seasons in National, 3 in Ligue 2 and 8 in Ligue 1. His last match in Ligue 1 was on 13 March 2018 between PSG and Angers, before starting his fight against the disease. Desiage had succeeded to briefly return in June 2019, refereeing the match Toulon - Ajaccio, on 16 August 2019, in the National league, as part of the recovery protocol, before being overtaken by the disease.
Unanimously recognized for his charisma and his dialogue, a spirit always lively, open to others, communicating, an eye always sparkling and a warm smile, Sebastien Desiage acted for the defense and promotion of refereeing and referees, with remarkable progress and significant success. He has greatly contributed to the development of SAFE with an unrivaled investment, allowing it to be structured in depth, to give it visibility and then to establish it permanently in the French football landscape. Sebastien Desiage was also close to amateur referees, particularly within the Loire District and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes League. He was also an entrepreneur: 25 years as manager of a printing company, then founder of a human strategy and marketing consulting agency, "Les Globules". Sebastien Desiage leaves us in immense sadness. He was a colleague, a traveling companion, a faithful friend who we already miss very much. To his wife, Julie, their three children, his family and loved ones, SAFE and the referees express our deep emotion, and offer their most sincere condolences and deep support. The refereeing family is present at your side.
Source: SAFE
