Premier League referees will be able to book players who approach them without permission next season as part of new measures introduced to avoid confrontations in the top flight
Premier League chiefs are set to make a major rule change that will mean only captains can approach referees starting next season, in a move that aligns the English top flight with UEFA. New guidelines from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) state that each team should only delegate one player to speak to an official during a match, with the captain the most obvious choice.
It comes amid concern over abuse towards referees in recent seasons and now measures have been implemented that will give officials more power and protection. They can tell any player not to approach them and issue a yellow card to any player that does so without permission.
If a goalkeeper is the captain of a team, clubs can nominate a secondary player to take on the responsibility of speaking to the match referee.
The new regulation is already active in all three UEFA club competitions this term after first being introduced during Euro 2024 last summer.
The rule change is set to be rubber-stamped at the Premier League’s annual general meeting in June, ready to be officially brought in for the start of the 2025-26 season – though clubs are still being consulted at present.
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An IFAB statement read: “At this stage, they are not a compulsory part of the Laws of the Game, although Ifab strongly recommends their adoption at all levels following their successful implementation by Uefa and various national FAs and competitions.
“Creating a captain-only zone will focus responsibility on the captain to encourage their team-mates to behave appropriately. The captain must take responsibility for helping ensure that their team-mates respect the captain-only zone.”
The organisation previously said the rule would “prevent major confrontations” and “create a secure and calm zone around the referee, thus lessening intimidation of officials during tense moments.
In UEFA competitions, players have indicated the use of the guideline by extending one arm and showing the flat of their hand, but IFAB said there was no mandatory signal needed to implement the rule.
“This signal may be adopted by other competitions, but currently there is no mandatory signal at the highest levels of the game, as different countries may have varying views on what signal best suits their football environment,” an IFAB spokesman continued.
There have already been trials to fit referees with bodycams in the event to ward off the threat of being approached by a player or a manager.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot got himself into hot water this season after his X-rated rant at Michael Oliver following his side’s 2-2 draw against Everton. The Dutchman said to the official: “If we don’t win the league I’ll f***ing blame you”, and was subsequently banned for two matches.
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