The Eurocup kicks off in a few days, and UEFA, specifically Roberto Rossetti, head of refereeing at the highest authority in European football, has explained the measures that will be implemented starting from the first match of the Eurocup.
One of the measures, and possibly the most striking one, is that only the captain of each team will be allowed to address the referees during the match. No other player is permitted to speak to them, and if they do, the protest will be punished with a yellow card.
If the protest continues, it will be the captain who is sanctioned with a yellow card, as UEFA considers that the captain is the one responsible for instructing all his teammates. This puts an end to mass protests, gestures, and shouting at the match referee, who will have to explain decisions to the captain and the coach (the latter through the fourth official).
This UEFA measure aims to eliminate the harassment images that all referees face when something displeases the players.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Rossetti also highlighted all the technology that will be used in the Eurocup. Starting with goal-line technology, VAR, semi-automatic offside detection, and the smart ball technology, which will be used to precisely determine the ball’s impact and the player’s position.
“We will try to use VAR as little as possible, to avoid interfering with the game”
“We have everything to make sure everything goes well,” said Rossetti, who also noted, “we will try to use VAR as little as possible, to avoid interfering with the game.” He also mentioned that the public in the stadiums and on television will be informed of all decisions.
Regarding plays of questionable clarity, it has been emphasized that referees will not allow holding in the penalty area during corner kicks or free kicks. Handball is another major headache, but the head of European referees explained that any action in which the ball hits a player’s arm or hand, as long as they are not gaining space, will not be considered a foul. He also mentioned that “special attention will be paid to rough and malicious play, punishing those actions with a red card.”
