UEFA set to crack down on players intimidating referees at Euro 2024

UEFA's top referee has vowed to crack down on players argu‐ ing with referees and "mobbing" them on the field at the upcom‐ ing European Championship in Germany.

Roberto Rosetti, UEFA manag‐ ing director of refereeing, ad‐ dressed a gathering of coaches from the 24 competing teams on Monday in Germany and called on them to ensure their players show respect for game officials.

"Unacceptable players' behav‐ ior is a problem for officials. The players are following you and, if you are calm, your players are more calm," he told the coaches, according to a UEFA statement on Tuesday.

"We want to avoid unnecessary cards and protect the image of the game, so we will be strong with mobbing and clear dissent. This is about protecting the image of the game and a positive legacy for future generations. We have to do something and we need you because you are super important for us."

Rosetti is an experienced Ital‐ ian referee who oversaw the Eu‐ ropean Championship final in 2008, when Spain beat Germany 1‐0.

UEFA also said it will make a decision soon on whether to allow teams to pick 26 players instead of the usual 23 for the tournament.

The expanded squads were used as a temporary measure at the last European Championship in 2021 to allow players to be re‐ placed quickly if they tested pos‐ itive for COVID‐19 while in camp.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koe‐ man argued last month for a re‐ turn to 26‐player squads because "you have to deal with more injuries these days," but Germany coach Julian Nagels‐ mann disagreed in comments Monday. Nagelsmann said he fa‐ vored sticking with 23 because he was concerned about the at‐ mosphere in a larger squad suf‐ fering if too many players aren't getting game time.

UEFA said there was no con‐ sensus among the coaches at Monday's meeting.

"UEFA has taken note of the various opinions and points of view shared, with a final deci‐ sion to be made in the coming weeks."