VAR and player workload on the agenda for UEFA Football Board
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
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Annual event brings open dialogue between European football's governing body, legendary figures and important stakeholders to discuss ways of continuing to improve the game.
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Some of football's most celebrated and influential figures joined us at the House of European Football on Monday for the latest UEFA Football Board meeting.
Bringing together some of the most recognisable names in European football, the Football Board is a forum that allows UEFA to listen to and learn from the views of players and coaches, as well as other important stakeholders, informing future decision-making within the sport.
Chaired by UEFA football advisor Luís Figo, the meeting focused on two crucial areas of the game:
– Laws of the Game and refereeing matters
– Competition and calendar matters
"We are very thankful to have met with the UEFA Football Board again here in Nyon. Their insights are always valuable and deeply appreciated, contributing constructively to important discussions we have had. This input will help us steer future improvements that will make football better, fairer, and more compelling for everyone involved."
The meeting followed last week's UEFA VAR Symposium in Lisbon – the first time European football's governing body has convened national associations, stakeholders and lawmakers to discuss the role of technology within the game, and how it is communicated.
This week, the Football Board continued those discussions, stressing a need for consistency in the instances where VAR intervenes, as well as touching on Laws of the Game concerning offside, handball, "double-touch" penalties and the new eight-second law for goalkeepers holding onto the ball.
There was also debate on player load and the cause of injuries in football, with a widespread agreement that players must be afforded enough time at the end of seasons to rest and recover ahead of preparing for the next campaign.
Crucial impact: Improving the image of the game
One of the Football Board's important recommendations in 2024 was the need for greater respect towards referees and match officials. Those discussions led to the introduction of the hugely successful directive that only captains should speak with referees.
That initiative is now written into the Laws of the Game, helping to improve respect towards referees and reducing acts of mobbing and dissent.
2025 UEFA Football Board meeting attendees
Rafael Benítez (Spain)
Oliver Bierhoff (Germany)
Fabio Capello (Italy)
Petr Čech (Czechia)
Rio Ferdinand (England)
Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany)
Michael Laudrup (Denmark)
Roberto Martínez (Spain)
Predrag Mijatović (Montenegro)
Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Netherlands)
Patrick Vieira (France)
Rudi Völler (Germany)
Also in attendance were representatives from some of European football's key stakeholders, including David Terrier (FIFPRO Europe president), Maheta Molango (FIFPRO Europe board member / PFA CEO) and David Elleray (IFAB), as well as UEFA deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti and managing director for refereeing, Roberto Rosetti.
"It's been very important to have these discussions with UEFA. Football can never be perfect so it's important to talk about how we can do better and that players, coaches and referees can talk, because we all see things in different ways, so it's good to be able to understand each other and drive the game forwards together."
Following the meeting, members of the Football Board attended the UEFA Youth League final between Barcelona and Trabzonspor, watching Barcelona lift the trophy after defeating Trabzonspor 4-1.
More about the UEFA Football Board
The Football Board was formed in 2023 to provide an independent perspective on football-related topics.
Members are selected for their exceptional on-pitch accomplishments, global reputational standing and depth of experience and expertise in the sport.
The meeting has become an annual fixture in the UEFA calendar, but the members will also meet whenever appropriate or necessary.
A UEFA Football Board meeting specifically focusing on women’s football matters took place at UEFA HQ last autumn.