Committee of Arbitrators of the UAF has started a series of meetings with UPL clubs regarding the updated Rules of the Game
The Committee of Referees of the UAF has started a series of meetings with UPL clubs regarding the updated Rules of the Game with representatives of UPL clubs.
The main purpose of such events is to establish an open dialogue between referees, coaches, and players, to form a unified understanding of the interpretation of the Rules of the Game, as well as to familiarize teams with innovations that have come into effect before the start of the new season.
The first club to initiate such a meeting was the newcomer of the Ukrainian Premier League - FC "Chornomorets" (Odesa). The event took place on July 17, 2026, at the club's training base in Sovinyon with the participation of players and the coaching staff of the first team led by head coach Roman Hryhorchuk.
The UAF Refereeing Instructor Viktor Derdo presented a detailed overview of the changes to the Rules of the Game for the 2026/2027 season. During the presentation, supplemented with video clips, key innovations were discussed, including:
- new requirements for quickly restarting the game when throwing the ball from the side line and taking a goal kick;
- updated substitution procedure;
- changes regarding a player leaving the field after receiving medical assistance in cases where the opponent who committed the foul did not receive disciplinary action;
- practical aspects of applying the new provisions of the Rules of the Game and their impact on the organization and conduct of matches.
The meeting participants actively engaged in discussions, asked questions, and exchanged thoughts on the practical application of the updated Rules of the Game. Club representatives emphasized the importance of such events, as a common understanding of the interpretation and application of the Rules of the Game will contribute to improving discipline on the football field, mutual respect, and constructive cooperation among all match participants.
On July 20, 2026, a similar meeting was held at the training base of FC "Levyi Bereh" (Kyiv) with the participation of players and the coaching staff of the first team led by head coach Oleksandr Riabokon.
On the same day, an online meeting via the Zoom platform was held with players and the coaching staff of FC "Polissya" (Zhytomyr) led by head coach Ruslan Rotan.
Since the team is preparing for the new season outside of Ukraine and getting ready to participate in international matches, this format allowed timely familiarization of players and coaches with the latest changes to the Rules of the Game.
The UAF Referees Committee will continue to hold similar meetings with UPL clubs. Openness to dialogue, mutual understanding, and honesty remain the main principles of cooperation between referees and the football community. A shared vision and a common understanding of the Rules of the Game are the key to quality refereeing, fair sporting competition, and successful conduct of the 2026/2027 season.
