Named world's best referee, Turpin pays tribute to 25,000 French referees

Clément Turpin received the trophy for world’s best referee on Monday evening, awarded by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) at a ceremony held at French Football Federation (FFF) headquarters in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, marking the 20th anniversary of the Lamour Law.

Adopted under the impetus of Jean-François Lamour, then minister of Youth, Sports and Civic Life, this law laid the foundations for professional refereeing in France in 2004, reaffirming its independence, its public service mission, and clarifying its tax status. The former minister was present alongside FFF president Philippe Diallo to celebrate this anniversary, surrounded by numerous referees.

In his speech, Turpin first wanted to share the distinction with his two assistants. “I would like to share this trophy with Nicolas Danos and Benjamin Pagès, my two assistants, who accompanied me throughout this season,” he declared. He then paid tribute to the 25,082 football referees active in France: “These are people who are committed and so passionate. We, the high-level referees, come from there. This trophy belongs to you as well.”

The international referee concluded by offering his personal definition of the profession, while saluting the boldness of the legislator at the time: “Referees are men and women who dare to do what others would not dare to do. So Mr. Minister, thank you, 20 years ago, for daring to do what others had not dared to do. Thank you for ultimately being a referee.”