UEFA referees ready for season’s challenges
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
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UEFA’s referees are gearing up for a new season in Europe’s club and international competitions – with the drive for consistency and further development of fitness levels key elements of their preparations.
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Ninety-two male referees and 61 female match officials convened in Geneva for their annual pre-season courses over the past week, fully briefed on the recent alignment between UEFA and our 55 member associations on the consistent application of the Laws of the Game by referees across European domestic and international football.
The referees analysed the various changes that have been introduced to the Laws of the Game for the new season, with a common consensus that the consistency drive will greatly benefit football in its entirety.
"It’s vital in refereeing that we speak only one technical 'language' across the board," said UEFA’s refereeing director Roberto Rosetti. "We can’t take risks and have a situation where there is no decision-making uniformity."
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Referees welcome consistency drive
Referees at the Geneva courses gave a positive reaction to the moves to create greater decision-making consistency. "It’s important not only for us as referees, it’s important for football," said senior English match official Michael Oliver.
"If you’ve got that clear and consistent line, it doesn’t matter who the referee is and where the referee comes from. You get the same outcome, you get the same decision, and it provides that clarity for everybody.
"When you get the clear message, it makes it so much easier for us to officiate and so much easier for the players and spectators to understand."
Sweden's Tess Olofsson took charge of last season's UEFA Women's Champions League final. "I’m very pleased and reassured about the development to put us on the same page," she said. "It’s particularly important because of the many changes to the Laws of the Game this season, and it will also make it easier for referees to know what they have to do and what to expect. Differing interpretations of the laws in domestic matches and international matches can be really challenging for referees."
Consistency consultations
In addition to meetings with national associations, UEFA refereeing officers have also briefed the players of all participating clubs in this season’s European competitions, as well as media representatives.
"Our refereeing philosophy is to speak, share and learn," said Rosetti. "To listen to what the football world wants from us and advise our stakeholder partners about what we’re trying to do."
Clear Line greeted positively
The pre-season courses unanimously welcomed the launch of Clear Line – UEFA’s new online platform promoting greater clarity, consistency and transparency in relation to refereeing decisions.
Clear Line is designed in particular to be an educative tool for fans.
"We hope that Clear Line will arouse people’s interest and curiosity," said Rosetti. "It can provide them with the knowledge to better understand referee decisions and VAR interventions."
Law changes increase physical demands
Physical and mental demands on top referees are growing apace, and Europe’s referees – considered as top athletes in their own right – are looking ahead to the new campaign’s challenges in prime physical and mental condition after undertaking their pre-season fitness test in Nyon.
Rosetti says that the new elements of the Laws of the Game, such as efforts to speed up the game, are likely to create even higher demands on the officials.
"They must sharpen their focus even more, and there’s likely to be less time for them to rest briefly during matches," Rosetti explained. "We’re giving the referees full guidance about these new challenges."
Standardised VAR review process
UEFA’s new standardised VAR review process to assist referees and strengthen confidence in VAR has received useful Initial feedback. "It’s clear from everyone that the referee should be at the centre of the decision-making process," Rosetti reflected.
"VAR interventions should only relate to clear and obvious mistakes, rather than being used for 'microscopic' situations," he added. "The world of football does not wish VAR to be the central protagonist."
Ovations and tributes
The Geneva gathering also rose to acclaim guest Omar Artan, the Somalian referee who was not permitted to enter the United States for this summer’s World Cup and who went on to referee the UEFA Super Cup match in August.
Lengthy standing ovations were also forthcoming for retiring refereees Anthony Taylor (England), Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia) and Benoît Bastien (France), as well as two officials who are stepping aside from their UEFA refereeing duties – sports scientist and referee fitness/training expert Werner Helsen (Belgium) and UEFA refereeing officer Dagmar Damková (Czech Republic).