UEFA will ask teams taking part in Euro 2024 to ensure that their captains are the only players who speak to the referee to explain key refereeing decisions. The measure is designed to help teams understand why and how video assistant referee (VAR) decisions are made and to prevent multiple players surrounding the referee.
Under this rule, Euro 2024 captains will be required to ensure that teammates do not infringe on the referee so that there can be a direct dialogue between the captain and the referee. Players who do not comply with their captaincy duties and approach the referee "showing any sign of disrespect or dissent" will be shown a yellow card.
Roberto Rossetti, UEFA's general manager of referees, said that this would allow "decisions to be communicated in a timely and respectful manner". He also said they wanted referees to be more open while making decisions on the field and explaining the reasons that led to certain decisions.
In addition, if the captain is the goalkeeper, an outfield player will be appointed to carry out the duties in case of an incident at the other end of the pitch. UEFA's team of refereeing experts will meet with the 24 teams taking part in this year's Summer Championship to explain the measure in more detail.
Improving the transparency of VAR decision-making has been a target area for development by refereeing committees around the world. As a result, the UEFA Football Committee said at its meeting last month that the technology needed to be more "consistent, transparent and easy to understand".
Rossetti emphasized that encouraging officials to have open and honest discussions with captains would help create a healthy atmosphere and enable referees to build a high level of trust with the players and demonstrate the leadership required of modern officials.
Euro 2024 will be held from June 14 to July 14 in Germany. Meanwhile, UEFA has announced its list of referees for this summer's World Cup in April, which includes four referees from the United Kingdom, Anthony Taylor, Michael Oliver, Stuart Attwell and David Coote, as well as 2022 World Cup final referee Simon Marziniak.
