Only team captains will now be allowed to speak with referees in Dutch football

Only the team captains from teams in the Eredivisie, Keuken Kampioen Divisie, and amateur football will be allowed to approach a referee to have decisions explained. The Dutch football association, the KNVB, has decided to do this after it was also implemented at the European Championships in Germany and the Olympic Football Tournament with positive results.

According to the KNVB, the Eredivisie, and the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, the new rule will stimulate sporting behavior on the football pitches. Sportsmanship and respect are important core values for football, they said. Better cooperation between captains and referees can help improve sportsmanship and respect on and around the football pitches.

After the implementation of the new guideline, the referee will only give captains an explanation of important decisions when needed. The captains are expected to take their responsibilities this season and send protesting teammates away from the referee. Players who do decide to protest will be given a yellow card.

If a goalkeeper is wearing the captain’s armband, he must assign a player to replace him when he is not close to the referee. The KNVB also expects managers and board members to adhere to this new rule and inform their clubs about the guidelines in detail.