New rule implemented for this Euro 2024: only the team captain can speak to the referee, the other players will be sanctioned with a yellow card. A new feature extended to other competitions.
UEFA announced on Friday the extension to all European competitions of the new rule limiting dialogue during a match between the referee and the captains, already in force at Euro 2024.
«The success of this new approach at Euro 2024, understood by those involved in the game and welcomed by public opinion as undeniable progress for the image of football, strengthens our confidence in this path (…) As of the new UEFA club competition season which begins next week, this approach will therefore be extended to all UEFA competition matches.“, the authority said in a statement.
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«Referees now have an open dialogue with teams to explain key decisions, including those involving VAR. This information and explanation is provided only to team captains, who are the only players entitled to speak to the referee and ask for clarification in a respectful manner.“, UEFA added.
«When the captain is the goalkeeper, and therefore far from the action in most cases, teams are asked to designate a single field player who is authorized to speak to the referees, to receive their explanations. Players who do not respect these instructions and who approach the referees to express their disagreement or act disrespectfully are warned.“, concluded the European Confederation in its press release.
Before Euro 2024, this rule had already been applied in the three European club cup finals this season (Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League).
