UEFA Sets Out 10 Key Changes to Champions League Refereeing

UEFA is introducing stricter measures against unnecessary time-wasting in its competitions this season. A substituted player must leave the field within 10 seconds. If the player does not, the replacement must wait until the first stoppage after one minute of play has resumed.

Players who receive treatment must also leave the field for one minute after the match restarts. The rule does not apply to goalkeepers, or when a goalkeeper and an outfield player collide and both need treatment. Exceptions include injuries caused by a foul that earns the offender a yellow or red card, collisions involving two teammates, and cases in which the treated player will take an awarded penalty.

Officials will count down five seconds when a team delays a throw-in or goal kick. If the restart is not taken, the opposing team may receive a corner. UEFA highlighted an incident involving Atlético players Musso and Pubill against Barcelona, when the second stopped by hand a ball passed to him by the goalkeeper in the area. Under the new interpretation, such an action can bring a red card.

The updated VAR guidance expands intervention in several situations. VAR can review mistaken player identification, although it cannot review the underlying foul itself. It can also invite an on-field review when a clearly incorrect second yellow card has been shown. VAR may intervene if the attacking team commits a clear foul before a free kick or corner is put into play and the foul directly affects a resulting goal, penalty or other sanction.

The guidance also says that a ball struck by any player during a set play inside the defending penalty area counts as a goal kick. If a teammate of the goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball inside the area, the referee should award a penalty. Other changes are optional under rules permitted by the IFAB.