UEFA asks refs to clamp down on serious foul play

NYON, Switzerland — UEFA has asked referees to clamp down on serious foul play and offer more protection for players.

The call for tougher action on reckless challenges came ahead of the Champions League and Europa League resuming this week.

UEFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina says “we need to have players playing, so they must be protected on the field.”

Collina wants to avoid situations “where a player’s future is put in doubt because of serious injury caused by a challenge, whether it is intentional, or is unintentional and the player making the challenge is taking a risk of causing injury.”