Roberto Rosetti unveils 13 new UEFA guidelines for refereeing.

From time-wasting to VAR, here is a comprehensive guide for referees in UEFA competitions.

Rosetti met with the press during the UEFA Champions League draw in Monte Carlo.

The most significant legacy from the World Cup concerns refereeing rules, leading to faster matches, fewer tricks and simulations, and greater control over potentially decisive mistakes. However, the problem was the excessive use of VAR, particularly in the latter stages of the tournament, with some "retroactive" decisions perhaps best to be avoided. Consequently, to highlight once again the referee's central role, UEFA has established new guidelines for the upcoming European club competitions.

Roberto Rosetti, UEFA's chief refereeing officer, outlined how these will be implemented across the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and all UEFA competitions, aiming also for greater uniformity with domestic leagues.

1 - Throw-ins and Goal Kicks: The new IFAB rule has been adopted. For throw-ins and goal kicks, a five-second countdown will commence from the moment the referee blows the whistle and signals. Any player exceeding this time limit will shift the throw-in to the opponents or concede a corner to the attacking side.

2 - Quick Substitutions: Another anti-time-wasting measure concerns substitutions. Players must exit the field within ten seconds from the moment in which their numbers are being displayed on the substitution board. Failure to comply will still result in the player being replaced, but their team will be forced to play with ten men for at least one minute, until the next stoppage in play allows the substitute to enter.

3 - Injuries: As Rosetti highlights, "far fewer players are seen collapsing on the pitch", ensuring the game maintains its rhythm. Should an injury necessitate medical attention or a stoppage in play, the injured player will remain off the field for one minute. Exceptions apply if the foul led to a yellow or red card, if a goalkeeper is involved, or if it's a collision between teammates.

4 - Covered Mouth: On this matter, UEFA has different opinions from FIFA. Covering mouth while speaking to an opponent will not result in an immediate red card. The referee will have discretion to assess the situation and, if warranted, issue a yellow card, not a sending off. Rosetti remarked: "Too often we have seen players demand opponents be sent off for a simple hand gesture".

5 - VAR and Second Yellow Card: VAR will now review second yellow cards, "also to prevent incidents like those involving Kalulu and Bastoni in Italian serie A last season". The Juventus player shouldn't have been booked, while Bastoni should have been. There will be no review for a first yellow card: It's part of football; a booking can be a mistake, and it would be dangerous to start reviewing everything.

6 Silent Check on Corners: The new rule is approved, but Rosetti clarifies it will only apply "in absolutely clear cases, involving the last touch, without reviewing previous phases of play, and without wasting time".

7 VAR and Dead Ball Situations: Previously, VAR could not intervene during dead-ball situations. However, the protocol has changed. For instance, if an attacking foul occurs before play restarts, video review is now permitted.

8 - Ball in the Penalty Area: To prevent past misunderstandings: if the ball in the penalty area has already been played and is in motion, a handball will result in a penalty. A player will be not allowed in any case to handle the ball a second time.

9 - Only the Captain: "No more mobbing of referees", stated Rosetti. Only the captain is permitted to speak with the referee. Any player who fails to respect this rule, or acts in a threatening or disrespectful manner, will be shown a card.

10 – VAR Method: VAR should correct clear and obvious mistakes or serious unspotted incidents that could affect the outcome of a match. Rosetti outlined the VAR process for referees: first, they assess the key frame, then the action in slow motion, and finally at real speed. The decision is derived from this mixed review.

11 – Clear Line: The true revolution lies in a new video library on the UEFA website dedicated to refereeing decisions. This resource will allow users to consult over 150 situations, providing a constant reference for when VAR should or should not be applied. Rosetti added, "This is for fans, journalists, and observers, so there are no more doubts".

12 - Offside: Already implemented in Italy, automatic offside is set to arrive in the Champions League. If an offside is clear, for example, by more than 30 centimetres, the assistant referee will receive an audio message, and the flag will be raised immediately, stopping play. Otherwise, the message will be delay, meaning play continues and the situation is reviewed afterwards.

13 - Philosophy: "VAR is not a second refereeing system", Rosetti explained. 'We are putting the referees at the centre; I appreciate the work Orsato and Messina are doing in Italy. Good referees must make decisions, even unpopular ones".