Federico Beligoy, National Director of Arbitration of the AFAmet this Wednesday with different captains and coaches of Argentine football in Ezeiza. And, later, the former referee publicly announced changes in the refereeing regulations with a focus on the implementation of the guideline “Captains Only” that emerge from that meeting.
“Captains Only”
What is this about? Only the player wearing the armband will be allowed to speak to the head referee, whether to make complaints or discuss a crucial decision. According to unofficial sources, it will come into effect this weekend on the 14th date of the Professional League.
“We wanted everyone to know where we work, to see that we are all equal, that we all work for and with football,” Beligoy began by saying. “We all have to try to stop these incidents that make football so ugly,” he added.
Details of the rules published by AFA
– Communication between players and the referee is allowed, an interaction that is still considered important (in order to increase transparency and avoid possible frustrations and conflicts).
-Any player (including the captain) who shows disapproval with words or actions will be given a yellow card.
-Where appropriate, the referee will explain important decisions to the captains and players involved in an incident.
-The referee will decide at his discretion whether to interact with or allow a player other than the captain to approach him, for example if the player has committed an infringement, has been fouled or is injured.
-In the event that the goalkeeper is the team captain, before the coin toss prior to the kick-off, the referee will be informed of which player is designated to approach him in his place.
-Only the goalkeeper or the designated player, in no case both, may approach the referee.
-If the designated player is substituted or sent off, another player will be designated.
To prevent players from harassing or surrounding the referee in crucial situations following incidents or key decisions:
-Only one player from each team, usually the captain, may approach the referee and, when doing so, he must interact with him in a respectful manner.
-The referee may indicate or exhort the players (with words or gestures) not to approach him.
-The team captains will be responsible for ensuring that their teammates do not approach the referee.
– Players who approach or surround the referee when they are not allowed to do so will be given a yellow card.
-If he deems it appropriate, the referee will delay the resumption of the match in order to give the captains time to explain the decision to their teammates, require them to behave correctly, etc.
