Shamrock Rovers boss looks for understanding from referee as UEFA rule change kicks in ahead of Champions League clash

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has called for understanding from Norwegian referee Sigurd Kringstad ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League tie against Víkingur Reykjavík.

This will be the first game involving the Hoops that fall under new UEFA rules.

Often, clubs involved in Europe have been visited by an official from Europe’s governing body, who would clarify any adjustments to or interpretations of the rules.

READ MORE: Serie A giants Lazio move for Irish teen who is also generating interest from PSV and Chelsea

READ MORE: Former Ireland international says she was in tears reading allegations of inappropriate behaviour

However, this hasn’t happened this summer, so Rovers’ players have had to watch the Euro 2024 games closely to get to grips with any changes.

One of the key ones is that it is now a bookable offence for anyone other than the team captain to speak to the referee.

Asked if the players had not been briefed this time around, Bradley said: “It hasn’t happened, but we have been given guidelines in terms of what we’ve all seen in the European Championships.

“That will carry into our European games, little aspects like speaking to the referee. That can only be from the team captain and any other player will be a bookable offence.

“We’ll see those little changes come into European competition, which I don’t think is a bad thing for the game. But it may take a bit of getting used to, so hopefully the referee takes that into consideration.”

Norwegian whistler Kringstad has some experience of managing in Europe. Most recently he took charge of Omonia Nicosia’s 1-0 over Midtjylland in last year’s Europa Conference League.

He was also in charge when Northern Irish side Glentoran were eliminated last year from the Champions League by Maltese side Gzira United on penalties.

In 2019 he was fourth official for Qarabag’s 3-0 win over Dundalk, while he also took charge of Ireland’s European Under-17 qualifier against Poland at Turner’s Cross in 2021.

The Boys in Green drew 2-2 that day, and former Rovers midfielder Kevin Zefi, now at Roma, was booked in the game. Another ex-Hoops Justin Ferizaj also played that day.

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.