Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
UEFA, all 55 national associations, and a representative from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) have agreed on new guidelines to ensure consistent interpretation and application of the Laws of the Game across domestic and continental competitions. This marks an important milestone in football refereeing, according to UEFA director for refereeing Roberto Rosetti.
The changes focus on IFAB's amendments for the 2026/27 season, aimed at speeding up restarts like goal kicks, throw-ins, substitutions, and injury stoppages. The goal is to protect match integrity and reduce unnecessary delays, maintaining excitement and quality. Referees will be instructed to enforce these rules strictly and consistently, ensuring more time with the ball in play.
For Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol, participants aligned on a consistent approach based on IFAB's recent amendments. VAR is to intervene only for clear and obvious errors, such as mistaken identity or missed clear incidents, as outlined in IFAB's circular letter no. 34. Lengthy reviews are discouraged unless the error is blatant, reaffirming that referees remain central to decision-making instead of relying on VAR for re-refereeing matches.
Enhancing cooperation between team captains and referees was also emphasized to promote greater respect for match officials. This builds on the approach used during UEFA EURO 2024.
UEFA stated that further steps and initiatives will be announced in the coming weeks to support the consistent application of the Laws of the Game and VAR across European football.