Euro 2024: The major football rule that has changed

Euro 2024 approaches its climax with four major countries fighting for the trophy. But did you notice this important rule change ahead of the tournament?

UEFA announced a major rule change on the brink of the 2024 European Championships in hopes of improving the image of the game.

The Sun reported that UEFA wanted to erase scenes in which multiple players surround the referee after making a decision. To combat the issue, they put in stricter penalties.

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UEFA Chief of Referees, Roberto Rosetti, has confirmed that players who surround the referee will be instantly yellow carded, with captains of each respective team only allowed to speak to the referee.

Speaking at the media briefing for Euro 2024, Rosetti said: "We are doing this for football, for the image of the game, for the next generation of players and referees."

"It is impossible to explain a decision to 10 or 12 players who are surrounding the referee. Each team's captain will be able to speak to the referee for an explanation on decisions, so long as they do so in the right way."

Since the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in European football in 2016, players and fans have found referee decisions more frustrating because of the pressure to get every call right.

Rosetti confirmed each of the 24 teams competing at the European Championships have been visited by a senior referee to have UEFA's new directive explained to them.

Rosetti said: "The players listened in a good way. Of course, there can always be discussions about anger, that's a never-ending story. It's a grey area, but it was good to share with them."

The two favourites, England and France, have Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe as their captains. If UEFA attempts to make a statement with the new rule, the two best teams could lose their best players to yellow card issues if 'they don't approach the referee the right way'.

Do you think the new rule change is good for the game, or do you think it takes the passion and fire out of the players?

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