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According to an official clarification from UEFA, the Prestianni Law—which mandates a red card for players who cover their mouths or abandon the pitch—will not be implemented in Portugal during the upcoming season, as outlined during the recent 1st Refereeing Recycling and Evaluation session held in Tomar.
Portuguese Referees Exempt from Prestianni Rule
The decision regarding the Prestianni rule emerged as a central directive during the three-day gathering in Tomar, which brought together elite referees, assistant referees, video assistant referees (VAR), and observers. According to National Technical Director João Ferreira, the rule applied in the 2026 World Cup will be omitted from domestic competitions for the upcoming campaign. Alongside this decision, tournament officials confirmed that hydration breaks will be strictly limited to one minute when deemed absolutely necessary, a notable shift from the three-minute intervals seen at international fixtures.
New Pilot Projects and VAR Efficiency
Luciano Gonçalves, president of the Portuguese Football Federation’s (FPF) Arbitration Council, announced the introduction of a collaborative pilot project. This initiative will actively involve both players and coaches in pre-match preparations, mirroring frameworks already utilized in the UEFA Champions League and global tournaments. Furthermore, referees received explicit instructions to eliminate technical stoppages during medical treatments. Officials can now issue a yellow card to any coach who fails to comply with this directive.
Pro Tip: Keeping up with evolving domestic referee guidelines helps fantasy football managers and dedicated fans anticipate tactical shifts regarding match stoppages and disciplinary thresholds.
Enforcing Match Control and Discipline
The FPF guidelines place heavy emphasis on maximizing effective playing time while actively combating violent conduct on the pitch. According to official federation disclosures, match officials must expedite VAR reviews to ensure quicker, more accurate decisions. Referees were also instructed to strictly enforce the captain-only rule and maintain rigorous behavioral standards across all technical areas.
Did you know? The recent educational gathering in Tomar concluded with federation leadership highlighting a renewed sense of unity and confidence among national match officials ahead of upcoming domestic challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Prestianni Law be used in Portugal this season?
No. According to UEFA clarifications presented at the Tomar refereeing evaluation sessions, the rule will not apply to domestic fixtures.
How are hydration breaks changing in Portuguese football?
According to FPF directives, hydration pauses are now capped at one minute and will only occur during matches when strictly necessary.
What happens if a coach interferes with medical treatment stoppages?
Referees have been instructed to stop technical pauses during medical evaluations and can issue a yellow card to any coach who fails to obey this directive.
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