Football captains only allowed to speak to referees at Olympics

PARIS – Only captains will be allowed to speak to referees and discuss their decisions during the Olympic Games, FIFA said on Wednesday, after the rule was first introduced during last month’s European Championships.

FIFA is encouraging competition organisers worldwide to adopt the measure, after UEFA extended the new approach to all their competitions to promote clearer communication.

“Without referees there is no football. Protecting match officials and ensuring they are treated with respect is fundamental to the future of the game,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“Introducing measures such as ‘captain only’ is crucial to preserve the spirit of football and protect those who enforce the rules.”

World football’s governing body said it will continue to closely monitor the impact of the ‘captains only’ rule.

“This is an important step, based on the overarching idea of ​​further promoting fairness and respect in football while enabling an open dialogue between the referee and the teams,” said Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Commission.

“As we have seen in the past, measures that defend football are ultimately accepted.”

The Olympic football tournament begins on Wednesday with Spain taking on Uzbekistan at the Parc des Princes in Paris, while Argentina take on Morocco in Saint-Etienne. REUTERS