Rabat – UEFA refereeing chief Roberto Rosetti has outlined the governing body’s approach to refereeing and match management ahead of the new European season, with a strong emphasis on keeping referees at the centre of decision-making.
BBC quoted Rosetti saying, “We want to try to come back a little bit, and to put the referees again at the centre.”
UEFA intends to reduce unnecessary VAR interventions and restrict the technology to clear and obvious errors, rather than allowing it to influence minor incidents or routinely second-guess decisions made on the pitch.
The new season will also bring stricter measures aimed at reducing time-wasting. Goalkeepers will have 10 seconds to release the ball after taking possession with their hands, with a corner awarded to the opposition if they exceed the limit.
Players being substituted will also be required to leave the field within 10 seconds; otherwise, their replacements will have to wait one minute before entering the pitch.
Similar measures will apply to players who leave the field to receive treatment. When medical staff attend to a player on the pitch, the player will be required to wait one minute before returning to the game. The changes are intended to reduce unnecessary delays and improve the continuity of matches.
UEFA has also confirmed that it will not automatically apply the so-called “Vinicius Law”, under which covering the mouth while speaking could potentially result in a red card.
In UEFA competitions, such an incident will not automatically lead to a dismissal and could instead result in a yellow card, depending on the circumstances.
Any suspected racist or discriminatory incident can still be referred to disciplinary authorities, which may impose severe sanctions if misconduct is established.
Water breaks will likewise not be mandatory in every European fixture. Their use will be determined before matches according to the weather and climatic conditions, allowing officials to assess whether a break is necessary rather than applying a universal rule across all games.
