June 13 – Improved clarity for fans over controversial VAR calls and zero tolerance for dangerous challenges by players, are just two of the areas that will be implemented by officials at Euro 2024 which gets under way in Germany on Friday.
The head of UEFA’s refereeing committee Roberto Rosetti told a press conference Wednesday that stadium screens will provide “technical explanations” of VAR calls in order to help supporters better understand potentially game-changing decisions.
“After the video assistance, the technical explanation of the decision will be shown on the giant screens in the stadiums,” explained Rosetti at the Allianz Arena ahead of the tournament opener between Germany and Scotland.
“This is something new. I think it’s very, very, very interesting. We want to give, after the opinion of VAR, a technical explanation for the public.
Rosetti offered an example of the type of information fans will be given.
“For example, on-field review, the referee awards a penalty for handball … technical explanation: Germany number nine touch the ball with his left arm which was in an unnatural position above the shoulder and making his body bigger.”
UEFA had already announced last month that it would do more to explain decisions to teams, requiring in turn that only captains can approach the referees.
All players other than the captain will be cautioned for dissent if they challenge key decisions.
“We do this for the next generations… for football and the image of the game, for the young players and for the young referees,” said Rosetti.
“Only the captain will approach the referee, the other players they have to think about [playing]. That’s it, finish.”
Rosetti has met with all the teams participating at Euro 2024 and has emphasised that dangerous tackles will be severely punished.
“One of the most important priority in refereeing guidelines is to protect the players. To protect the image of the game, but in particular to protect the safety of the main actors of the games.
“We showed them a couple of clips that we are asking to the referees to be very strong in these kind of situations. So for such situations we asked to the referees to be zero tolerant because this is something that we cannot accept.”
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