UEFA introduces new handball and VAR rules for Champions League season

UEFA has released a new set of regulations for the upcoming Champions League, Europa League and Conference League seasons, effective immediately. The rules prohibit any player from handling the ball inside the penalty area after a goal kick; such action will now automatically award a penalty, regardless of intent. UEFA’s head of refereeing, Roberto Rosetti, announced the changes during the Champions League draw in Monaco on Thursday, citing last season’s dispute between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid when Atlético’s Marc Pubill handled the ball after goalkeeper Juan Musso had taken the goal kick.

Regarding VAR, Rosetti stressed that referees must make independent decisions on the field and that VAR should only intervene for clear evidence and obvious mistakes, not to reassess every minor incident. The update also targets time‑wasting: a player who takes more than ten seconds to leave the pitch during a substitution may be penalised, with additional clarifications on injury situations and the resumption of play after goals.

The regulations have been sent to players, coaches and clubs to standardise refereeing across UEFA competitions. For Nigerian fans watching these tournaments, the changes mean fewer VAR interruptions for trivial calls and a stricter approach to handball after goal kicks, which could affect match outcomes and team strategies.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/28/ucl-uefa-releases-new-rules-on-penalty-var-others/