Euro referees praised for letting the game flow

The number of fouls given reached an average 22.4 per game in the group phase, down from 25.3 at Euro 2016, while the number of bookings fell to 2.7 from 3.6 per match. The time that players actually played football rose to almost 59 minutes per game from 56-and-a-half minutes in 2016.

Referees at Euro 2020 have for once largely stayed out of the limelight, with fewer controversial decisions than normal, as they pursue the popular trend of letting the game flow. There have been fewer fouls and bookings and the players spent more time with the ball in play during the group stage, official data has shown. Players, coaches and pundits alike have mostly agreed the officiating has been beneficial for the game. “I am absolutely elated, this is how we would like to see football,” said former Manchester United winger Karel Poborsky.

‘Same approach’

“The criteria for fouls have moved but nobody abuses that. And then, all referees have the same approach, no matter who they are, and that’s great and it helps football a lot.” UEFA Referees’ Committee chairman Roberto Rosetti said: “Our role is to take the correct decisions. We are very happy to see that there are fewer fouls at the moment.”

The number of fouls given reached an average 22.4 per game in the group phase, down from 25.3 at Euro 2016, while the number of bookings fell to 2.7 from 3.6 per match. The time that players actually played football rose to almost 59 minutes per game from 56-and-a-half minutes in 2016.

VAR works 

Data has also shown how VAR, used at a Euro for the first time, has changed the game. The number of penalties awarded in the group stage grew to 14 at Euro 2020, from seven in the Euro in 2016, as VAR was used to assess 179 incidents in 36 games.

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