UEFA has urged referees to protect players better, by clamping down on serious foul play in European club competitions.
This directive comes as the Champions League and Europa League return this week.
UEFA’s chief refereeing officer, Pierluigi Collina, has asked officials to take firm action against players who commit reckless challenges.
“We need to have players playing, so they must be protected on the field.
“We do not want situations where a player’s future is put in doubt because of serious injury caused by a challenge, whether it is intentional, or is unintentional and the player making the challenge is taking a risk of causing injury.
“Players must understand that they have to respect their opponents and show the same positive behaviour to them that they would want to receive themselves,” Collina said in a statement.
Two weeks ago, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, asked English referees to look after the game’s “artists” by dealing with dangerous tackles more harshly.
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