European Football · Monday, August 17, 2026
French Refereeing: Riolo Argues for Less Strict Philosophy Before 2026
After Lens-PSG, the commentator calls for a review of red cards to align with World Cup international standards.
By Editorial team
Daniel Riolo criticized on Sunday the tendency of French refereeing to distribute red cards systematically, with reference to the two expulsions from the Lens-PSG match of the Champions Trophy. The editorialist advocates for an evolution toward a refereeing philosophy inspired by recent World Cups, where severity gives way to greater tolerance. This harmonization is essential for French, Belgian and Swiss national teams to develop tactical consistency before 2026.