Euro referees to clamp down on violent play 17/04/2008 00:00

The 12 referees were given a six-point list of instructions at the end of a four-day workshop.

17 April 2008

REGENSDORF - Referees at the European Championships have been told to clamp down on violent play, diving, dissent and play-acting.

The 12 referees at the tournament in Austria and Switzerland were given a six-point list of instructions at the end of a four-day workshop at their Euro 2008 base at Regensdorf near Zurich.

The referees have been told to show a red card "against challenges with excessive force which endanger an opponents' safety - and to punish holding and pushing in the penalty area at set-pieces," a statement said.

Feigning fouls or injury will be punished with a yellow card for unsporting behaviour, and acts of simulation not seen by the referee could be punished retrospectively.

UEFA also wants players to take strong action against players confronting each other following a foul or showing dissent.

Referees have been told they can accept a spontaneous expression of frustration from players but must firmly sanction players who show dissent by word or deed.

"Any mass confrontation will lead to the main protesters getting a yellow card," UEFA said.

UEFA referees' committee member Hugh Dallas said: "Referees will speak to players and respect them, but it is also expected that players and coaches show respect back."

All 12 referees have passed their fitness tests for the Euro 2008 tournament, which takes place between June 7 and 29.

[AP / Expatica]