UEFA presents a new protocol that will 'isolate' referees before matches

Through a circular sent to all member federations and clubs, UEFA has informed of the guidelines for behaviour that must be followed with the refereeing team designated to referee the matches. These will be in force in the men's and women's competitions, both at club and national team level, and they stress that "the care of the referees at the match venues remains the exclusive responsibility of the member federations."

According to 'Mundo Deportivo', the refereeing teams and their observers designated for the matches must be accompanied by a figure called "Referee Liaison Officers or RLO", who "are neutral, totally independent of the clubs and appointed by the member federations. No club representative can accompany the referees during their stay at the match venue."

UEFA isolates referees from clubs

This liaison must have refereeing experience, but "not be UEFA Elite or Category 1 referees. They must be fit and active enough to be available during the 48 hours that UEFA match officials are usually on site, with good local knowledge and contacts, and be able to drive the vehicles mentioned below, including those for the match, training sessions and all airport transfers."

Similarly, this designated figure will also be present at national team competitions, such as the current Nations League, with all costs for the care of the refereeing team, referee observer and match-site delegate being borne by the host association.

UEFA thus prevents contact between refereeing bodies and clubs in the run-up to matches. Likewise, each federation must provide an independent physiotherapist to the teams who must be available exclusively to the referees and ensure their accommodation in a hotel of at least four stars.