UEFA rule change set to impact Everton and Liverpool players at Euro 2024

We are fast approaching the start of both Euro 2024 and Copa America as a football-filled summer awaits.

Numerous players from Everton and Liverpool will be involved in the competitions as an intriguing few weeks await. Sean Dyche and Arne Slot will be keenly observing their players and potential transfer targets in action while hoping they return without any injuries.

Suspensions, however, are not a concern, as yellow and red cards earned during international duty do not carry over into domestic games. But players participating in these tournaments will need to worry about missing matches for their countries due to suspensions.

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A new UEFA rule set to be implemented for Euro 2024 could significantly influence player behaviour on the pitch. It has been disclosed that only the team captain can discuss a decision made by the referee during a match. This measure aims to prevent players from mobbing the official following a contentious incident.

Punishments will be handed out to any player who isn't the team captain and approaches the referee to dispute a decision. Any such player will be immediately booked, meaning only Harry Kane can approach the referee in England's case.

In response, referees will be providing more detailed explanations of their decisions to the captain, who can then relay this information to his teammates.

Similar measures were introduced to the Premier League at the start of last season, though they did not seem to be applied with consistency as the campaign developed. Explaining why the league was aiming to prevent players surrounding the referee, Howard Webb remarked: "People will have to understand that some behaviours that previously would have been managed or ignored will no longer be managed or ignored, and those behaviours will stop.

"It is important our officials recognise, understand and differentiate between emotion and passion and something that is unacceptable.

"For too long officials have not necessarily been able to make that differentiation too well or they have chosen to turn a blind eye to certain things, maybe thinking it was the best way to deal with it, not make a fuss, not draw attention to what might have been perceived as an error on the field.

"But the power of example is so strong and we are seeing all the numbers are travelling in the wrong direction. We are seeing grassroots officials having a bad experience too often.

"This has to change in our sport. We are determined collectively in our game to do this. It is resting on the shoulders of the officials to do this but they understand by doing it consistently, they will improve the example that is set and the experience in the professional game.

"While initially there are some changes in behaviour that will have to be driven through, they will end up with a game that is more enjoyable from their point of view as well."