A strike by Canal + technicians this weekend will affect all the matches of the 22nd day of Top 14. To protest once morest a non-revaluation of wages since 2005, the first quarter of an hour of all matches will not be broadcast only in wide shot. This is likely to impact video arbitration in particular.
This is a movement that might seriously upset the broadcast of the 22nd day of Top 14. This weekend, the employees of Canal + announced that a technicians’ strike would affect all matches this weekend, broadcast by the encrypted channel. This strike, in connection with a non-revaluation of wages since 2005, means that the first quarter of an hour of the matches will only be broadcast in wide shot. A strong gesture, which, in addition to touching the viewers, risks impacting the arbitration.
Video arbitration impacted?
Indeed, to request video arbitration, the referees of the French championship rely on images from the broadcaster, in this case Canal +. But since the channel will not broadcast the first quarter of an hour, it seems that video referee calls will not be available during the first fifteen minutes of each match. It remains to be seen whether this will harm the smooth running of the matches.
During the broadcast of the opening match of the day, between Racing 92 and UBB, commentator Bertand Guillemin explained the situation to viewers: “This is a meeting that we are going to experience in special conditions, during the first fourteen minutes. Due to a social movement by part of the teams of one of our service providers, we will not be able to to offer you an optimal recording. Following this stoppage, until 3:14 p.m. precisely, we will only offer you the wide shot of the meeting, as well as the sound. So please accept in advance all our apologies for the inconvenience caused.”
