In a significant move that will reverberate across European football, UEFA has announced the implementation of a new initiative aimed at improving player behaviour and respect towards match officials.
The governing body has revealed that a policy, which has been trialled during Euro 2024, restricting dialogue with referees to a team's captain will be rolled out across all UEFA competitions for the upcoming 2024/25 season.
This change will have a direct impact on Scottish Premiership clubs participating in European competitions, including the likes of Celtic, Rangers, Heart of Midlothian, and Kilmarnock. These teams will now be required to adhere to the new rule, which stipulates that any player other than the team captain who approaches the referee will be shown a yellow card for dissent.
UEFA has hailed the "success" of the initiative, which is being introduced in an effort to foster a more respectful and disciplined environment on the pitch.
The approach mirrors a similar proposal being trialled by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body responsible for the laws of the game.
The implementation of this policy, which Celtic and Rangers will get a taste of in the Champions League, while Kilmarnock and Hearts will feel the effects when they enter the Europa League and potentially the Conference League, is expected to have a significant impact on player-referee interactions and overall match dynamics. It's also hoped that coaches and players will learn to adapt their strategies and communication methods to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
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“The success of this new approach, understood by the actors of the game and welcomed by the public opinion as unquestionable progress for the image of football, boosts our confidence that this is the way forward. Fair play and respect are values that football, the most popular game in the world, must convey to our societies,” a UEFA statement read.
“Starting with the new season of UEFA club competitions ready to kick off next week, this approach will therefore be extended to all matches in UEFA competitions.”
According to the new guidelines, when the captain is the goalkeeper, the team must nominate a single outfield player to serve as the designated communicator with the referee.
UEFA's referees' chief, Roberto Rosetti, spoke positively about this initiative during a briefing held at the end of the Euro 2024 group stage in Germany.
Rosetti highlighted the effective dialogue between Scotland captain Andy Robertson and French referee Clement Turpin during the opening game against Germany. This exchange took place while the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was reviewing a penalty award for the hosts and a red card for Scotland defender Ryan Porteous due to a dangerous play.
Furthermore, UEFA reported a significant increase in the number of yellow cards shown during the group phase of this year's Euros, with 166 cards being issued compared to just 98 at the previous edition of the tournament in 2020.
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