UEFA has announced that a new rule will be implemented in all UEFA club competitions starting next week. This rule, which was first introduced during Euro 2024, allows only the captains of national teams to communicate with referees during matches.
The decision was made to enhance communication on the pitch regarding referees' decisions and foster mutual trust between players and officials. The positive response to this change has prompted UEFA to expand the application of the rule to all its competitions, just in time for the start of some competitions next week.
As a result, the new rule will be in place when Liverpool plays in the Champions League next season. It will have the biggest impact on captain Virgil van Dijk, who will be tasked with communicating with the officials, presuming he retains the club captaincy under new manager Arne Slot.
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UEFA emphasizes that 'fair play and respect are values that football... must convey to our societies'. Captains will bear the majority of the responsibility in communicating with officials, as observed throughout the Euros. Referees will continue to have open dialogues with those wearing the armband to explain key decisions, including those involving VAR.
UEFA has clarified that team captains 'are the only players entitled to speak to the referee and request clarifications in a respectful manner'. Captains will also be given the duty to manage their teammates.
They will be tasked with 'asking them to respect the referee, keep their distance and not surround the match officials'.
During England's group stage clash with Denmark, it seemed the new rule might have been overlooked. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was spotted engaging with referee Artur Soares Dias, despite not donning the Danish armband. With Kasper Schmeichel captaining Denmark and his position as goalkeeper making regular dialogue with the ref a challenge, UEFA has made provisions for such scenarios.
Their statement clarifies: "Where the captain is the goalkeeper, therefore not close to the action in the majority of cases, the teams are requested to nominate a single outfield player authorized to speak with the referees, to receive their explanations."
Any player who doesn't adhere to this updated regulation will be shown a yellow card, especially if they display dissent or disrespect. Roberto Rosetti, UEFA's chief refereeing officer, shared that teams have welcomed the update ahead of the tournament. "They are happy about this," he said.
"We are doing this not for the referees or the UEFA Referees Committee, but for football, the image of the game and the next generation. These sessions [with the teams] were very productive.
"All the players interacted in a very good way they wanted to know how we wanted to apply this open dialogue with the captains and they were absolutely satisfied about this. I am sure it will be a fantastic example for the next era of football."
