Conversations between match officials "could be made public under new proposals being discussed" by UEFA, according to Ben Rumsby of the London TELEGRAPH. UEFA "is exploring whether to allow its broadcast partners access to recordings or transcripts of on-field exchanges between referees and their assistants in Champions League, Europa League and European Championship games." UEFA President Michel Platini is understood to be keen to make referees appear "more human," as well as to win over critics of the use of additional assistant referees during European fixtures. He has ruled out making officials available to explain their decisions in person to the media, "for fear such encounters could end up as interrogations, but is looking at alternative solutions" (
TELEGRAPH, 2/26). In London, John Edwards wrote "it comes in the wake of fiercely-contested penalty awards and red cards" that left Man City and Arsenal facing early Champions League exits at the hands of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, respectively. Dialogue between referees, their assistants and fourth officials "are already routinely recorded." UEFA was reluctant to predict when it might come in, "or how quickly the tapes would be available after games." A spokesperson said, "This is an idea which has been discussed, but nothing has been planned at the moment. Conversations (between officials) are always recorded" (
DAILY MAIL, 2/27).
