As the 2024 European Championships prepare to kick off in Germany, UEFA has announced several rule changes that will affect the tournament. Among the most notable are alterations to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, a new regulation on player conduct around referees, and clarifications on the handball law.
The VAR team has been reduced from four video match officials to three, a move intended to streamline reviews and speed up decision-making. Video match officials will operate from the International Broadcast Centre in Leipzig, while referees and support staff will be based in Frankfurt. Big screens in stadiums will display crucial VAR replays to enhance fan understanding.
A new regulation aims to curb 'mobbing' of referees. Only the team captain will be permitted to discuss decisions with officials; other players who swarm the referee will receive a yellow card. If the goalkeeper is the captain, a teammate may be nominated to approach the referee.
The handball rule remains largely unchanged, with referees continuing to judge whether a player's hand or arm position made their body unnaturally bigger. Accidental handballs that lead directly to a goal or a goal-scoring opportunity will still be penalised.
Additionally, cautions from the qualifying stage have expired, meaning all players start the tournament with a clean slate. These changes come as England seek to improve on their Euro 2020 final defeat and recent World Cup performances.
