At Euro 2024, fans will experience enhanced clarity on video-assisted refereeing (VAR) decisions, thanks to new measures introduced by UEFA. This initiative, announced on Wednesday by the head of UEFA’s refereeing committee, Roberto Rosetti, aims to address long-standing concerns about the opacity of VAR rulings for stadium spectators.
Rosetti explained that stadium screens across Germany will now display “technical explanations” for VAR decisions. This move is designed to help fans better understand the rationale behind crucial refereeing calls. He highlighted that one of the persistent criticisms since VAR’s adoption has been the difficulty for match-goers to grasp the reasons behind certain decisions.
“After the video assistance, the technical explanation of the decision will be shown on the giant screens in the stadiums,” Rosetti elaborated during a press briefing at the Allianz Arena, just ahead of the tournament’s opening match.
To illustrate the type of information fans can expect, Rosetti provided a hypothetical example. “Penalty, handball, Germany’s number nine touched the ball with his left hand, which was in an unnatural position, over his shoulder and extending away from his body,” he detailed. Such specific explanations aim to demystify VAR decisions and enhance the overall match-day experience for fans.
This initiative draws inspiration from the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where officials began announcing decisions verbally to spectators before resuming play. By offering clear and immediate explanations, UEFA hopes to bridge the gap between on-field actions and audience comprehension.
In addition to the new visual aids, Rosetti stated that referees will be authorized to provide explanations to the team captains, ensuring they are kept informed about decisions affecting their teams. However, players other than the captain who challenge decisions or demand further information will face disciplinary actions. This policy, already implemented in all three UEFA club competition finals, saw two yellow cards issued in both the Champions League and Europa League finals, and one in the Conference League final.
Rosetti emphasized the broader vision behind these changes, underscoring the importance of setting a positive example for the future of football. “We do this for the next generations… for football and the image of the game, for the young players and for the young referees,” he asserted. The aim is to foster a more transparent and respectful environment on the pitch, which can then be emulated at all levels of the sport.
Furthermore, in scenarios where the team captain is a goalkeeper, such as with Italy and Slovenia, an outfield player will be pre-designated to assume the captain’s communicative responsibilities regarding VAR decisions. This ensures that explanations can be effectively conveyed to the team without interrupting the goalkeeper’s primary duties.
As Euro 2024 approaches, these changes signify UEFA’s commitment to enhancing the spectator experience and promoting a deeper understanding of the game. By providing detailed explanations of VAR decisions, UEFA not only addresses a key concern of fans but also takes a significant step towards greater transparency and fairness in football officiating.
