The Bundesliga has announced that it will be the first European league to implement UEFA’s decision to protect referees from player protests at Euro 2024.
During the Euros, UEFA only allowed the captain of each team to talk to the referee or protest, and if any other player did so, they would immediately receive a yellow card. This was to protect referees from the constant barrage of abuse they receive after every decision.
According to the Bundesliga announcement, this decision will also be implemented in the competition won by Bayer Leverkusen, starting with the 2024-2025 season.
If the team captain is a goalkeeper, he will appoint another player on the pitch to speak to the referee anywhere on the pitch and discuss his decisions, as was the case at the Euros.
The Bundesliga’s decision is expected to be the first step towards other major leagues implementing the same rule, especially in the Premier League, which is notorious for players talking to referees, which impedes the smooth running of matches and undermines the work of referees.
