REFS TOLD: GET TOUGH ON FOULERS

UEFA have ordered referees to clamp down on serious foul play as the Champions League knockout stage gets under way tonight.

European football’s governing body has urged officials to take proper sanctions against players who commit such offences or make reckless challenges that might injure an opponent and endanger a career.

The move will be welcomed by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, with the Premier League leaders having written to referees’ chief

Mike Riley to complain at a number of dangerous tackles against their players which have not been punished by a red card. “We need to have players playing, so they must be protected on the field,” said UEFA’S chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina (left). “We do not want situations where a player’s future is put in doubt because of serious injury caused by a challenge, whether it is intentional or unintentional.

“Players must understand that they have to respect their opponents and show the same positive behaviour to them that they would want to receive themselves.”

Referees have been told to punish players who deny opponents an obvious goalscoring opportunity, and have also been instructed to get tough on players surrounding them to put pressure on them.

Collina added: “When I see the mobbing of a referee, it is not acceptable. This is not the message we want the game to convey.”