UEFA says players behaviour towards referee is a ‘critical issue’

FORMER players on UEFA’s football board feel behaviour towards referees has become a “critical issue” and also want to clamp down on players faking injuries and timewasting.

A meeting chaired by former Real Madrid and Inter Milan winger Luis Figo discussed officiating, coach and player behaviour towards match officials, timewasting and VAR.

Former players and coaches including Eric Abidal, Rafael Benitez,

Petr Cech, Rio Ferdinand, Jurgen Klinsmann, Juan Mata and Patrick Vieira were present at the meeting.

The board suggested a campaign led by key players should be launched to shed light on the unfairness of faking injuries to help eradicate it from the game.

A UEFA statement read: “The Board consensually acknowledged that the behaviour of players and coaches towards match officials in several recent instances has become a critical issue and does not contribute positively to the good image of the game.

“The members are united in their belief that this issue needs to be addressed as firmly as possible.

“The Board concluded that it is important for coaches to set the example for their teams and for the mobbing of officials to be eliminated.

“Referees are an essential element of football and should be protected from all forms of abuse. What happens in the professional game has the power to influence the whole pyramid; recruiting and retaining referees is highly dependent on the positive examples set in competitions followed by millions of fans.

“It was agreed that a firm disciplinary approach is justified, but that it would also be advisable to improve the transparency of communication between match officials and coaches to inspire mutual understanding and respect.”