Referees at Euro 2024 have been cracking down on tactical fouls, leading to a surge in yellow cards shown during the tournament. According to UEFA’s head of match officials, there were 166 yellow cards shown during the 36 group-stage games, compared to 98 in the previous edition.
Tactical fouls are committed to break up a fast counter by the opposition, forcing the referee to stop play. This tactic has been associated with players like Fernandinho, who used his defensive skills to allow his teammates to focus on attacking.
UEFA’s managing director of referee, Roberto Rosetti, explained that there were 35 yellow cards shown for tactical fouls during the group stage in Germany, a significant increase from the previous tournament. The overall rate of yellow cards has increased to 4.6 per game compared to 2.7 in the last Euro.
In addition to cracking down on tactical fouls, UEFA has also been strict on backchat to the referee, issuing yellow cards to players who defy the rule that only captains should approach the referee to debate a decision. This has led to an increase in yellow cards for dissent, with 19 shown so far compared to 10 in Euro 2020.
Rosetti emphasized the importance of players showing respect to match officials and following the rules of the game. He showed video clips of referees gesturing to players to back off if they seemed ready to dispute a decision, signaling a new, proactive approach to managing player behavior on the field.
Despite some controversies and debates over specific decisions, UEFA is focused on improving the accuracy of referee calls while ensuring that the game is played fairly. The tournament has seen its share of intense moments, including Cristiano Ronaldo receiving a yellow card for dissent and various teams facing off in high-stakes matches.
As the tournament progresses into the knockout stage, teams will need to be more disciplined and focused on playing the game according to the rules. The strict enforcement of yellow cards for tactical fouls and dissent serves as a reminder to players and fans alike that fair play is essential in football.
Overall, the increase in yellow cards at Euro 2024 reflects UEFA’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the game and ensuring that players respect the authority of match officials. As the competition heats up, teams will need to adapt to the stricter enforcement of rules and maintain their composure on the field to succeed in the tournament.