New refereeing guidelines in the Champions League: less VAR and the end of the “Prestiani rule”

"We want to put the referee at the center of the decision. We don't like referees who wait for the VAR . We want them to make decisions on the field and only intervene to correct mistakes if there is clear evidence.” Roberto Rosetti, director of arbitration at UEFA , made this clear in the presentation held on August 27 in Monte Carlo, three hours before the 
Champions League group stage draw. 

UEFA has updated the protocol for applying the new Rules of the Game to European football, including domestic competitions: "We must be consistent and coordinated across all competitions, whether Azerbaijan , in England, Finland, France or Turkey."

Rosetti cited the Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic as an example , who did not hesitate to show the red card straight to Enzo Fernández for his entry into Pau Cubarsi in the final of the World Cup , without waiting for VAR . "We want referees like Vincic .”

The guiding principle, also for those responsible for VAR, is crystal clear and will be emphasized in the meetings preceding each European matchday: “We want zero errors when the VAR intervenes. THE VAR It has to be predictable.” Players are also aware of the new guidelines from UEFA , which they received in information sessions with referees at the beginning of this season, with particular emphasis on certain points. For the general public, UEFA created the platform Clear Line on its website , an open access video library with guidelines provided to referees and responsible for VAR for the consistent application of Game Rules throughout Europe . Includes over 100 bidding videos compiled over eight years, with clear examples of when the VAR should and should not intervene.

review at normal speed

UEFA does not want the review process to drag on. He must to be a maximum of 30 to 90 seconds is granted from the moment the infraction is identified. Then, two or three repetitions should be presented with a closed camera angle at half speed; followed by a wider camera angle with two or three repetitions at normal speed to review the play that preceded the infraction, the play itself and the seconds immediately after. The goal is to assess intensity, dynamic movement, impact and any tactical considerations.

Identity confusion

VAR can review an incorrect identification if the referee penalizes the wrong player for an infraction that he himself marked. The decision regarding the infringement itself cannot be reviewed; the review is limited exclusively to the correct identification of the offender .

Incorrect second yellow cards

If they are clearly flagged incorrectly, they may be reviewed by VAR, who may ask the referee to carry out an on-field review and overturn the decision.

Fouls committed by opponents without the ball in play.

VAR can intervene in these types of situations if it is a foul or a corner and has a direct impact on the resulting goal, penalty awarded or other sanction. If VAR intervenes, the goal, penalty or sanction will be annulled and the foul or corner will be replayed.

Pubic style hands are a penalty

“We are fed up with interpretations,” he said Rosetti , which considers the rule clear: if there is a dead ball inside the area and it is touched by any player, it is considered a goal kick. Therefore, if someone touches the ball with their hand, it is always a penalty. In the last Champions League , the touch of a hand Pubill node game between Barça and Atlético was not punished by the Romanian referee  Istvan Kovacs whistle the bid. The scandal created a precedent that should not be repeated.

There is no inferiority if the objective is considered.

If a player is substituted, he must leave the field within ten seconds. Otherwise, the substitute must wait one minute before the first interruption of play after the restart. If the match is interrupted for medical attention, the player receiving treatment must wait one minute before returning to the field after the restart. However, this rule does not apply if the player receiving the treatment is the goalkeeper, nor does it oblige the coach to choose a player to be substituted for one minute. If a goal kick is taken more than five seconds late, the opposing team is entitled to a corner; If a throw-in is taken late, possession of the ball changes between the team.

Incorrectly awarded corners

In games from UEFA , goal kicks will only be converted into goals in very clear cases, in which the review can be completed immediately, without delaying the restart of the match. An incorrectly awarded goal kick cannot be changed to a corner.

Without the 'Prestianni Law'

On the contrary from FIFA , UEFA does not consider the simple act of covering one's mouth when speaking to an opponent to be grounds for a red card. Referees may, however, consider the act of covering the mouth to hide communication as unsportsmanlike conduct and issue a yellow card. UEFA reserves the right to perform additional investigations or disciplinary proceedings.

Only the captain speaks.

He is the one who communicates with the referee. If it is someone else, you will receive a yellow card.

Abandon the field as a form of protest.

UEFA will not exercise the option to show card red for players who leave the field in protest. However, it emphasizes the principle, now included in the Rules of the Game, that "…where a team is responsible for the interruption or suspension of a match because it has fewer than seven players, the match will be considered lost by that team."