Football News Update: Uefa Expands ‘Captain-Only’ Referee Communication Rule to European Club Competitions

Uefa Introduces ‘Captain-Only’ Communication Rule in Club Competitions

In a move aimed at enhancing the image and respect within the sport, Uefa has announced that the “captain-only” rule introduced at the Euro 2024 tournament will be extended to all European club competitions starting next season.

The new regulation, which proved successful at the recent Euro 2024, stipulates that only the team captain is permitted to communicate directly with the referee during the match. Any other player who approaches the official, other than the designated captain, will be shown a yellow card.

“Starting with the new season of Uefa club competitions ready to kick off next week, this approach will be extended to all matches in Uefa competitions,” Uefa confirmed in a statement.

Increased Bookings During Euro 2024

This initiative has already had a significant impact, with a marked increase in bookings during the group stage of Euro 2024. The tournament saw 166 yellow cards handed out, compared to just 98 during the same period at Euro 2020.

Uefa has lauded the new rules, stating that they have helped to “improve the image of football” and “convey respect” throughout the game.

Expected Impact on Upcoming Club Competitions

The implementation of the “captain-only” rule is expected to have a similar effect on the upcoming Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League seasons, promoting a more disciplined and respectful atmosphere on the pitch.

Football enthusiasts and administrators alike will be closely monitoring the impact of this change as the new European club campaign kicks off in the coming weeks.

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