Euro 2024 Breakthrough: VAR Decisions To Be Shown On Stadium Screens

UEFA is gearing up for a significant moment at Euro 2024, as Europe's governing body has unveiled plans to communicate VAR decisions on stadium screens in Germany. Last month, the organisation announced that refereeing calls would be explained in detail to international captains, who should be the only players to speak to the officials. Any player showing disrespect or dissent towards the referee will receive a yellow card.

UEFA confirmed another refereeing initiative for the upcoming tournament, where officials will explain decisions to the crowd via stadium screens throughout June and July. "This is something new. I think it's very, very, very interesting," said UEFA's managing director for refereeing, Roberto Rosetti, on Wednesday. "We want to give, after the opinion of VAR, a technical explanation for the public."

Rosetti elaborated that a UEFA expert would prepare a simultaneous technical explanation about what happened in specific situations. For example, if an on-field review results in a penalty for handball, the explanation might state: "Germany number nine touched the ball with his left arm in an unnatural position above the shoulder and making his body bigger."

Rosetti has been proactive in informing teams and players about the new protocols at the European Championship. This includes reinforcing that dangerous tackles will face serious disciplinary action. "One of the most important priorities in refereeing guidelines is to protect the players," Rosetti added. "To protect the image of the game, but in particular to protect the safety of the main actors of the games."

He mentioned that referees have been instructed to be zero-tolerant towards dangerous tackles. "We showed them a couple of clips that we are asking referees to be very strong in these kinds of situations," Rosetti said. "So for such situations, we asked the referees to be zero tolerant because this is something that we cannot accept."

Tournament Opener

Germany will open the Euro 2024 tournament against Scotland in Munich on Friday.