UEFA will carry on trialling two ideas that were set-up for the u21 Euros earlier this year at the Women’s Euros that start next week.

Fourth substitution:

“Under the guidelines of the trial, a fourth substitution is permitted if a match goes to extra time. The fourth substitution can be made whether or not the team has already used the maximum number of substitutes permitted.”

This trial has been in used for a while and it is a good idea to be fair as fresh legs will help create more entertainment and it also offers more options to the managers on the tactical side to change the game if needed.

Yellow/red cards for non-playing staff:

“The use of yellow/red cards for non-playing staff aims to clarify when a player or official is officially cautioned or is dismissed from the technical area and is part of the IFAB‘s ‘Play Fair’ initiative. The referee is within his rights to stop play in order to show a yellow or red card to the offending party.”

There already was some kind of policing of the touchline, but it is important for the referee and the fourth referee to control the coaching staff and substitutes. This is another improvement for the game.

“Failure to cooperate with a match official, such as ignoring a request from a fourth official, or entering the field of play in a non-confrontational manner, could lead to a warning from the referee or the fourth official to the guilty party.”

It looks like an extension of the punishment that can be given to players on the pitch.

“A yellow card could be shown for gestures that show a clear lack of respect for the match officials, such as sarcastic clapping. Throwing or kicking drinks bottles, gesturing for a yellow or red card to be shown and deliberately entering the technical area of the opposition team are among the offences that could lead to non-playing staff being cautioned.”

Regarding the red card offences, you would hope that the FA would trial this in the Premier League – there would certainly be a lot more cards for staff and players on the bench.

“Offences that could lead to a red card being shown to non-playing staff include: physical or aggressive behaviour towards a member of the opposition team or a match official; using offensive, insulting or abusive language; confronting a match official on the field of play; or deliberately throwing or kicking an object on to the field of play.”