UCL: UEFA releases new rules on penalty, VAR, others

UEFA has unveiled a new set of regulations for the upcoming Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League seasons. One significant change concerns handling of the ball within the penalty area following a goal kick. Under the new rules, such handling will result in a penalty, irrespective of the player's intention. Refereeing head Roberto Rosetti announced these changes during the Champions League draw in Monaco, referencing a contentious incident from last season involving Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

In that match, Atletico defender Marc Pubill handled the ball before passing it with his foot, despite goalkeeper Juan Musso having taken the goal kick.

Regarding Video Assistant Referee (VAR), UEFA emphasizes that referees must make independent decisions on the field. Rosetti stressed that VAR should not be used to reassess every incident, stating that the organization seeks clear evidence and obvious mistakes that warrant VAR intervention. The comprehensive law updates have been communicated to players, coaches, and clubs, aiming to standardize refereeing standards across UEFA competitions and enhance consistency in decision-making.

The rules also address time-wasting during substitutions, with a player taking more than 10 seconds to leave the pitch facing penalties. Furthermore, there are new clarifications regarding injury situations and the resumption of play following goals.