Only captains allowed to speak with referees at Olympics

Salt Lake City to host 2034 Winter Olympic Games

July 25, 2024 00:00:00

French President Emmanuel Macron, President of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Organising Committee Tony Estanguet (2-R) and France's Minister for Sports and Olympic and Paralympic Games Amelie Oudea-Castera (R) visit the "Stade Tour Eiffel" in Champ-de-Mars in Paris, France, on Wednesday, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games — AFP

PARIS, July 24 (Reuters): Only captains will be allowed to speak and discuss decisions with the referee during the Olympics, FIFA said on Wednesday following the rule's first implementation at last month's European Championship.

FIFA is encouraging the adoption of the measure by competition organisers globally after UEFA extended the new approach to all of their competitions in a bid to facilitate clearer communication.

"Without referees there is no football. Protecting match officials and ensuring they are treated with respect is fundamental for the future of the game," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.

"Implementing measures such as 'captain only' is crucial in maintaining the spirit of football and safeguarding those who uphold its laws."

The world soccer governing body added they will continue to monitor the impact of the "captain only" rule.

"This is an important step based on the overarching idea of further enhancing fairness and respect in football while enabling an open line of dialogue between the referee and the teams," chairman of the FIFA referees committee Pierluigi Collina said.

"As we have seen in the past, measures that are in defence of football end up being accepted."

Meanwhile, Salt Lake City was awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games on Wednesday following a vote of the International Olympic Committee.

The US city, which hosted the 2002 Winter Games, earned 83 votes out of 89 at the IOC session, having been named the preferred choice in June.

"To the people celebrating back home: we are back baby, the Olympics are coming back to Utah," said Utah governor Spencer Cox, who was part of the presentation team, along with Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn, to the IOC session in Paris.

A large crowd had gathered back in Salt Lake City to watch the announcement on big screens.

"Relieved we went trough this part of the process, excitement for what is coming," said United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee chairman Gene Sykes.

"Humility and appreciation, all those together," he said. "It will be an unforgettable experience, great celebration and once being in Utah with the people of Utah will be something the entire world sees."