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Players warned to behave during Euro 2008
Referees will be cracking down on dangerous tackles, serious dissent
and players who dive during the Euro 2008 championships in June.
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Swiss referee Busacca will take no mischief
(Keystone)
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European football's governing body, Uefa, said officials
would protect the game's image at the tournament, co-hosted by Switzerland
and Austria. Film footage could also be used to punish players retrospectively.
The announcement was made at the end of a preparatory workshop for referees
and their assistants in Regensdorf, near Zurich, on Thursday.
Officials were told to issue the red card for challenges that used "excessive
force which thereby endanger the safety of the opponent".
"We want the star players to end the tournament in the same condition
as they started," said Hugh Dallas of Uefa's refereeing commission.
Players can also expect cautions for jostling in the penalty area before
corner kicks, arguing with officials, running the length of the pitch
to get involved in confrontations and falling down unfairly to win a free-kick
or penalty - known as simulation.
Uefa's disciplinary panel could use video evidence to later punish a player
guilty of simulation if it is not spotted by officials during the match.
The tough stance follows criticism in many countries that an increasing
numbers of players were resorting to underhand tactics to win games. The
2006 World Cup final was overshadowed by star French player Zinedine Zidane's
"chest butt" on Italian Marco Materazzi.
Behaviour improving
But English referee Howard Webb, who will officiate during Euro 2008,
told swissinfo that such problems are coming under control.
"Simulation, dissent and confrontation are a slur on the game that
needs to be cut out.
We had a rise five or six years ago, but I don't think it's got worse
in the last few seasons. I think the message is getting through to players
that the game needs protecting," he said.
"Some people are turned off football because of some behaviour they
see on the field. Players have a role to play by ensuring that their behaviour
doesn't drop below a required standard."
Each of the 16 teams taking part in the tournament will be invited to
the referee's base in Regensdorf to receive clarification of Uefa's stance.
All 12 referees, from different countries, plus their two assistants took
part in a four-day preparatory workshop to test their fitness and receive
technical instructions on how to officiate the championships.
17th team
The officials were chosen by Uefa based on their performance both in domestic
and European matches. Uefa Referee's Commission chairman Angel Maria Villar
Llona referred to them as the "17th team" of the tournament.
"I am convinced that this will be an excellent tournament because
it will have the best refereeing of all time," he said.
Swiss referee Massimo Busacca said he felt even more pride at representing
his country at Euro 2008 than during the 2006 World Cup.
"It is an honour to be the Swiss referee in this big tournament in
Switzerland. I know there will be more pressure on me, but I have already
experienced a big tournament in Germany, so I can use this to be ready
and fully prepared in June," he told swissinfo.
Matthew Allen in Regensdorf
Swissinfo.ch,
April 18, 2008
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