Europe’s football governing body, the Union of European Football Association, UEFA, has informed teams that will participate at the Euro 2024 that only captains will be allowed to approach referees to speak about decisions taken during games and other players doing so risk being booked.

 

The move is aimed at stopping groups of players from “mobbing” referees in scenes which are “bad for the image of football”.

 

“In a bid to improve the status quo we at Uefa want referees to explain more of their decisions to all teams competing at the upcoming Uefa Euro 2024 tournament,” said Roberto Rosetti, UEFA’s managing director of refereeing.

 

“How will we do this? The idea is simple: we ask that all teams ensure their captain is the only player who speaks to the referee.

 

“We ask the captains to ensure their teammates do not encroach upon and surround the referee, allowing direct conversations to take place in order that the decision be relayed in a timely and respectful manner.”

 

The initiative follows football’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (Ifab), announcing trials earlier this year which included only a team’s captain being able to approach a referee in certain situations.

 

Euro 2024 takes place in Germany from June 14 to July 14, with an opening game between hosts, Germany and Scotland on Friday, 14 June.

 

“Any team-mate ignoring his captain’s role and/or who approaches the referee showing any sign of disrespect or dissent will be shown a yellow card,” added Rosetti.

 

“Evidently, if the captain is a goalkeeper, there will need to be an outfield player nominated who can fulfil this role should an incident occur at the opposite end of the pitch.”