Veteran Ligue 1 referee Ruddy Buquet demoted to Ligue 2 following failed fitness test | OneFootball

Ruddy Buquet, who has officiated in Ligue 1 since 2008, will continue his career in Ligue 2, after following fitness tests at the start of the campaign.

Buquet has refereed 310 matches in Ligue 1 since 2008, however, at 47, he failed the fitness tests in the off-season, meaning that he has not refereed in France’s top-flight this season. Until last weekend, his last time refereeing came in the preliminary rounds of the UEFA Europa Conference League on 1st August.

However, that will not be the end of Buquet’s career. Having failed the Ligue 1 fitness tests, he has since undergone the Ligue 2 fitness tests, which are less demanding. He has since passed those tests, which allow him to officiate in France’s second division.

Buquet, who had previously officiated in 102 matches in the lower leagues in France since 2005, will take charge of SC Bastia v Rodez on Tuesday night as he makes his return.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle