UEFA Launches ‘Clear Line’ To Bring Greater Consistency To Refereeing Decisions

UEFA has launched a new refereeing platform aimed at providing greater clarity and consistency over the application of the Laws of the Game and the use of VAR across European football.

Named Clear Line, the repository contains more than 150 refereeing scenarios, offering detailed guidance on how officials should interpret specific incidents and when video assistance should, or should not, be used.

The platform has been endorsed by the Chief Refereeing Officers of all UEFA member associations, establishing Clear Line as a reference framework for the consistent application of refereeing decisions and VAR interventions at both domestic and European level.

A central focus of the initiative is reinforcing the VAR protocol's requirement that video reviews should only be used when there has been a clear and obvious error.

UEFA said the resource is intended not only for match officials but also for players, coaches, commentators and supporters, allowing them to better understand the reasoning behind some of football's most complex and frequently debated decisions.

Clear Line uses videos and visual explanations to demonstrate how different situations should be assessed, providing insight into the decision-making process behind refereeing calls.

The platform will also be regularly updated as new situations arise or further clarification is required, meaning its guidance will continue to evolve alongside the game.

UEFA Refereeing Director Roberto Rosetti said the initiative would help establish a more standardised approach to decision-making and VAR across European football.

“Clear Line is designed to provide clear and precise guidance to match officials across European football, helping to ensure greater consistency in decision-making across competitions and a more standardised approach to the use of VAR for the benefit of the game.”

Rosetti acknowledged that individual incidents can differ and that mistakes cannot be completely eliminated, but said Clear Line would provide a central reference point for understanding refereeing decisions.

“While no two incidents are ever identical and occasional mistakes remain inevitable, Clear Line will provide a central reference point for players, coaches, commentators and fans, helping to explain the rationale behind refereeing decisions and promoting a greater understanding of the decision-making process.”

UEFA hopes the new platform will ultimately lead to a more uniform interpretation of the Laws of the Game, while improving transparency around some of the most contentious refereeing and VAR decisions in European football.

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