Euro 2024 gets underway this Friday. (Image: Getty)
The most significant rule change for teams at Euro 2024 this summer won’t actually relate to the action during tournament games. UEFA have tinkered with a series of regulations for their latest event in Germany, allowing managers to announce 26-man squads for the first time in the post-Covid era.
For England, that new regulation seemingly benefitted the likes of Adam Wharton and Ezra Konsa, both of who were considered borderline selections.
Rules surrounding like VAR, offside technology, and suspensions have also been tinkered with, but the most major change actually relates to pitch preparation. Express Sport gives you the lowdown on the rule changes for the tournament…
UEFA have moved to prevent any arguments between nations over how the pitches are watered, after disputes between Premier League sides last season. In England’s top flight there are no set guidelines over the amount that can be sprayed on a surface, but for the Euros the host association must announce the pitch-watering schedule at the pre-match organisational meeting.
The pitch has to be watered evenly and not only in certain areas, and those in charge must finish their work 60 minutes before kick-off. Pitches can then be watered for a maximum of five minutes at half-time, allowing substitute players to warm up on the field during the interval.
Substitutions
Like in Euro 2020, teams can make five substitutes per match, with each side allowed a maximum of three stoppages to make their changes. However, this time around managers can make a sixth substitute in knockout matches if they go into extra time.
Gareth Southgate can make up to six substitutions if knockout matches go to extra time. (Image: Getty)
VAR
At Euro 2020, the officiating teams comprised of nine people per match - a referee, two assistant referees, a fourth official, a reserve assistant referee, and a team of four video match officials operating VAR. However, this year's edition of the tournament has reduced the team of video match officials down to three.
UEFA have made the move in a bid to make VAR reviews quicker and more efficient. Big screens will be utilised in stadiums in order to show important VAR replays in order to provide clarity to supporters over the decision-making process.
Semi-automated offside technology
UEFA have also sought to speed up offside calls, and will deploy 10 specialised cameras at Euro 2024 stadiums to track 29 different body points on every player. The system, alongside the connected ball technology, is designed to identify the point of ball contact for offside decisions.
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Hounding referees
Another new rule for the tournament is that players who surround referees will be booked. Under new guidelines, only the team captain may discuss decisions made on the pitch with the official.
UEFA have cited a desire to decrease pressure on referees as the reason for the change. In a situation where a nation's captain is their goalkeeper, then a teammate can be nominated before the game to approach the official.
Yellow and red card resets
In Euro 2024, cautions from the qualifying stage, both the group stage and the play-offs, have been wiped put ahead into the tournament. During the finals, players and team officials will be suspended for the next match after two cautions, as well as after the fourth caution.
A red card will yield a one match suspension, both for two yellow cards and a straight red card. However, following the quarter-final ties, all previous cautions will be removed from player records, and everyone will start the final four matches with a clean slate.
