Romain Lissorgue

Identity Card — Overview

Romain Lissorgue is part of the very latest wave of referees promoted to Ligue 1, having made his debut in the top level during the 2022-2023 season. Far from the media tumult surrounding star referees, he forges his path with discretion and method. Affiliated with the French Football Federation, this Frenchman does not (yet) have a FIFA badge, focusing on building a solid career at the national level. For OM, he represents a new face, a referee whose style they still need to learn.

What the Marseillais are Saying

Given his recent promotion, Romain Lissorgue is not yet a prominent figure in social media debates. Marseille supporters are discovering him with each appearance. The first impressions are of a referee who primarily seeks to keep the game flowing.

The "facilitator": The term most often used is that of a referee who does not like to chop the game. He is not the type to whistle for every minor contact. This tendency to let the game play is often appreciated, as it promotes spectacle and rhythm.

Calm Authority: Unlike others who impose their authority with a loud voice or quick cards, Lissorgue seems to prefer a calmer approach. He is not very expansive, which can be interpreted as serenity or, for the more critical, a lack of charisma in the face of pressure from big stadiums.

The Pressure Test: Fans are still waiting. His ability to manage the fervor of the Vélodrome or the tension of a high-stakes match remains the main question mark. His initial performances were deemed correct, but he has not yet been faced with major controversy involving OM.

OM History with This Referee

The history of Romain Lissorgue with OM is much more recent and less charged than erroneous information might suggest. His few encounters with the club allow us to outline a referee rather favorable to the game. Here is his real record.

The record is currently unbeaten. These three matches, though of varying intensity, showed consistent refereeing. Against Lorient, in a closed game, he did not seek to be the protagonist. Against Auxerre and Thionville, he managed the debates without notable controversy, allowing the players to express themselves.

Trends that Matter for OM

Romain Lissorgue's style is confirmed in the statistics. He is among the referees who whistle the fewest fouls in Ligue 1. His philosophy is clear: the game comes first. He intervenes only when necessary, which is an asset for a technical team like OM.

Concerning discipline, he is in the lower average. He is not one to hand out yellow cards liberally to "mark his territory." He prefers to warn verbally before sanctioning. For OM, this is good news: his refereeing favors teams that seek to build play rather than those relying on disruption and physical impact.

VAR & Tense Matches

As a new elite referee, Romain Lissorgue approaches VAR with great respect for protocol. He does not hesitate to follow the recommendations of his video assistants and take the time to check a contentious action. He has not yet been at the center of a controversial VAR decision involving OM, but his approach seems to be one of caution and safety.

His handling of tense matches is still under evaluation. The encounters he has refereed for OM were not the most explosive on the schedule. The real test will come during a clash with a historic rival, where his ability to remain impervious to pressure will be closely watched.

What to Expect in the Next Match

When Romain Lissorgue is officiating, do not expect a match locked down by officiating. Prepare for a game where the ball should be alive and the rhythm not constantly broken. He is a referee who trusts the players.

For OM, it is an invitation to take control of the game. His style is an opportunity for our technical players to shine. Caution remains necessary, as his tolerance has limits, but the overall approach should be positive. It's a chance to see a fluid football match where the referee knows how to stay in the background. And it's often all that's asked of him.