The French Referee Union (SAFE) said its members would exercise their right to resign.
This was revealed after a match referee faced hate speech following the comments of President Marseille Pablo Longoria. The French referees' union does not want the justice or their families to be at risk.
Local media reported that Longoria objected to referee Jeremy Stinat's appointment for their match against Auxerre on Sunday, February 23, 2025, in which Marseille lost 0-3.
Longoria said the defeat was due to corruption and expressed anger at the red card given to defender Derek Total.
The French Football League Management Agency (LFP) has imposed a ban on being involved in matches for 15 matches against Longoria for his comments.
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In addition, local media reported that the tires on the two Stinat family cars were found to be torn at his home before the match. He has also filed a legal complaint for the damage.
Delegation from SAFE then met with the French Sports Minister, Marie Barsacq, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, local time, to voice their concerns about the safety of the referee.
"The nature of this statement questions the integrity of the referee and in general the integrity of the referee's body."
"If there is a new violation of their private domain, which endangers them or their families, (the referees) will use their right to withdraw," SAFE said.
SAFE added in a statement that it had instructed legal counsel to join Stinat in filing a civil lawsuit against Paris' first-degree court judge.
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