The newly formed UEFA Football Board, comprising a distinguished group of top coaches and legendary former players, held its inaugural meeting on Monday, April 24, 2023, in Nyon, Switzerland.
The board was established by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin to provide an institutional, yet independent, voice of experience and expertise on fundamental football topics. The members were selected based on their “outstanding club or national team football achievements, impeccable international reputation and extensive experience.” The meeting was chaired by UEFA’s technical director, Zvonimir Boban.
Key Discussion Topics and Recommendations
The inaugural agenda focused on crucial areas affecting the Laws of the Game and officiating, resulting in specific recommendations:
1. Handball Rule Clarity
The Board acknowledged that the handball rule is constantly disputed and called for greater consistency and alignment with the game’s true nature. They issued the following recommendations for UEFA’s guidelines for the following season:
- Deflected Ball: No handball offense should be called if the ball is previously deflected from the player’s own body, particularly if the ball does not go towards the goal.
- Caution Consistency: Not every handball should automatically lead to a caution (yellow card) after every shot at goal, challenging current guidelines.
- Denying a Goal: The Board called on UEFA to work with IFAB (the game’s lawmakers) regarding Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct). They suggested that players should only be sent off (red card) for denying a goal/obvious goal-scoring opportunity if they deliberately and intentionally touch the ball with their hand/arm. For other handball offenses, only a caution should be issued.
2. Player Behaviour
The Board strongly addressed player behaviour toward match officials, deeming the “mobbing of officials” a critical issue that negatively impacts the image of the game.
- Zero Tolerance: The members were united in their belief that the issue needed to be addressed as “firmly as possible.”
- Coach Example: They stressed the importance of coaches setting a better example for their teams.
- Feigning Injury: Referees were encouraged to crack down harder in cautioning players who feign injury (diving/simulation) to waste time and disrupt the flow of the match.
3. VAR System
The discussion on the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system focused on improving its implementation:
- Consistency: The board stressed the need for consistency in the instances where VAR intervenes.
- Transparency: They recommended working towards ensuring VAR’s use is more transparent and understandable for players, coaches, and fans.
The Full Roster
The new advisory body includes an impressive array of talent:
| Managers/Coaches | Players/Former Players |
| Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) | Gareth Bale (Former Wales FWD) |
| Rafael Benitez (Former Liverpool Manager) | Petr Cech (Former Czech Keeper) |
| Fabio Capello (Former England Manager) | Rio Ferdinand (Former England DF) |
| Jurgen Klinsmann (South Korea Manager) | Luis Figo (Former Portugal FWD) |
| Ronald Koeman (Netherlands Manager) | Robbie Keane (Former Rep. of Ireland ST) |
| Roberto Martinez (Portugal Manager) | Philipp Lahm (Former Germany DF) |
| Jose Mourinho (Roma Manager) | Henrik Larsson (Former Sweden ST) |
| Gareth Southgate (England Manager) | Michael Laudrup (Former Denmark AM) |
| Rudi Voller (Former Germany ST) | Paolo Maldini (Former Italy DF) |
| Zinedine Zidane (Former Real Madrid Manager) | Juan Mata (Galatasaray MF) |
| Patrick Vieira (Former France MF) | Predrag Mijatovic (Former Montenegro FWD) |
| — | Eric Abidal (Former France DF) |
| — | Javier Zanetti (Former Argentina DF) |
