UEFA issues VAR and refereeing guidance for Champions League after controversies

Referees have faced criticism this season for a number of errors during the campaign and UEFA refereeing director Roberto Rosetti has spoken out on his approach

UEFA remains behind the use of VAR in football, despite referees coming increasingly under the spotlight. The technology was introduced in the Champions League ahead of the 2019/20 season.

But controversy remains, with supporters still disgruntled over a number of decisions, while lengthy delays continue to be one of the main negatives behind VAR.

And while UEFA are aware that improvement still needs to be made when it comes to the usage of the technology, the organisation’s refereeing director Roberto Rosetti has confirmed that they remain committed.

“We must remember why VAR was introduced,” said Rosetti. “It was created to correct. The technology is excellent for objective decisions, like offsides, but for subjective judgments, we need to be cautious, because when we review tiny details we are slowing the game down.”

He added: “What is crucial is one concept, we cannot delay the restart of play. If something is in place to delay the restart of play, I think it’s not good for football.

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“I can tell you also that every little change in order to speed up the restart of play, we like. We like because football is intensity, is emotions, is not delaying the restart of play.”

And while VAR has remained under the microscope, Rosetti has encouraged officials to remain vigilant when it comes to serious foul play, as well as handball decisions.

When it comes to red cards for serious foul play, it has been identified that most dangerous tackles take place near the technical areas so has urged officials to remain alert in those areas.

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Referees have also been told to ‘recognise the nature of challenges, evaluate whether players are genuinely playing for the ball, and act firmly when force or studs up tackles endanger opponents’.

“We will continue to be strict,” Rosetti said. “The focus is always on protecting the players.”

On handballs, referees have also been told to consider the player’s attitude and intention, whether arms are in a natural position and whether there is contact following a physical challenge, where deflections may be unavoidable.

Finally, Rosetti has also encouraged referees to also attempt to clamp down on exaggeration from players following minimal or slight contact.

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