UEFA wants to regain greater control over refereeing standards as tensions with FIFA continue to grow. The European governing body has launched “Clear Line,” a platform featuring more than 150 controversial situations to help referees interpret the Laws of the Game consistently and better determine when VAR should intervene.
Roberto Rosetti, UEFA’s head of refereeing, explained that the initiative aims to bring greater clarity to the most difficult decisions. UEFA also plans to update the platform regularly, according to L’Équipe.
The initiative reflects UEFA’s preference for a more restrictive approach to video assistance than the one seen in some recent FIFA competitions. UEFA wants referees to use VAR only when they identify “clear and obvious” errors, following the original spirit of the protocol. “VAR does not referee the match. He’s only there for clear situations and obvious errors,” Rosetti stressed. He also called on referees to preserve their personality, authority and decision-making skills on the pitch rather than rely excessively on video technology.
With “Clear Line,” UEFA is therefore promoting a clear vision of modern refereeing that places the referee at the center of the game. The European governing body wants VAR to support officials rather than take control of their decisions. This approach could further underline the differences between UEFA and FIFA as the two organizations continue to navigate increasingly tense relations over the management and interpretation of refereeing standards.
