The Swedish Football Association announced on Friday that stricter measures against protests and inappropriate behavior will be introduced ahead of the upcoming season, when there has been an order from Uefa about it to all member nations, with the aim of “protecting football’s image and reputation, as well as getting more focus on the game so the crowd gets to see more football”.
SvFF writes that behavior, which in previous years may have passed without yellow cards, is no longer accepted. For example, if someone “shows a lack of respect by making gestures, running towards or surrounding one of the referees, using inappropriate language or kicking/throwing the ball to show displeasure”, it should lead to a yellow card.
“If the behavior becomes aggressive or threatening, a red card may be the result. Uefa’s instructions apply to both players and managers,” the association writes on its website.
“Even actions that constitute a lack of respect after a red card has been handed out, for example refusing to immediately leave the pitch (or the technical area) in order to instead discuss or show dissatisfaction, will be reported to the disciplinary committee,” the association writes further.
At the same time, the hope is that the stricter measures will lead to a change in behaviour, so that there will be no more yellow cards in the future.
Judge base Stefan Johannesson explains the tightened measures.
– It is always difficult to change, but now we have given directives to the referees about this, and about what we think they should teach, such as gestures, encirclement and general behavior towards opponents. It has gone a little too far, and Uefa has now stepped in and said we have to bring this home. Otherwise it goes in the wrong direction. We have not set ourselves against this, and even though we don’t have the biggest problem in Europe, there are things that mean we are now taking a step back, he says to Fotbollskanalen.
Could there be more yellow cards at first?
– Yes, initially it could be like that before it settled with players and leaders, but hopefully it is not like that. Just because they get the information, they might think twice. We’ll see, it will also sit well with the judges. It’s not just pressing a button. They have to learn too. It’s easy for us leaders to say we want this now, but it’s out on the field that counts. It may take a while for it to settle, but then it will. We must follow this and what we have been taught.
Could there also be more reports to the disciplinary board?
– Referees report by giving a red card, and then that’s where it goes, but we won’t run and make reports to the disciplinary committee off the pitch. That is not the idea. It should be tougher on the field against direct bullying of referees, and with gestures that can incite it around. We want a faster game and not so many breaks, but play football.
The fourth referee must continue to focus on the game, and not anything else.
“In connection with this, the fourth referees have been instructed to focus on their main task according to the rule book: to monitor the match in accordance with the rules of the game. This means that the fourth referee must have his attention on the field of play and therefore the space to be available for contact with people in the technical area is limited, and that communication takes place on the terms of the fourth referee. Objective and respectful communication will continue to be possible within these frameworks. Lack of respect in these situations is handled in accordance with the rules of the game,” writes the association.
Regarding the hand rule, there has also been an adjustment from Uefa’s side, which is described as follows:
“Uefa has also adjusted the interpretation of the hand rule: a warning must be given when a hand rule violation stops a promising attack – in the case of a shot on goal when the defender deliberately and unsportsmanlike stops the ball with his hand/arm or when a pass between two teammates in a promising attack is stopped with his hand/ arm by an opposing player. Uefa has also announced that when the ball clearly changes direction on the player’s or teammate’s body before it hits the player’s hand/arm is not normally considered a hand foul”.
2024-02-16 16:11:00
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