Barcelona Players Attend Referee Education Session

Barcelona players and coaching staff held an educational session regarding the new amendments to the laws of football, in preparation for the upcoming 2026/2027 season, amidst a significant number of recent officiating changes that have impacted the rules of the game.

According to Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo", the session took place during the pre-season preparations, with Catalan referee Víctor García Verdugo presenting it. He explained the key new modifications to the Barcelona players and coaching staff and answered their related inquiries.

This season, the rules of the game are witnessing a remarkable number of changes, having already been implemented during the 2026 World Cup held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

One of the most notable updates is the use of a chip inside the ball to automatically determine offside situations in the top flight, alongside the 10-second rule and the duration a player spends off the pitch when leaving for treatment, in addition to changes related to the Video Assistant Referee technology.

This session is part of the usual procedures every season, as the referees' technical committee aims to explain the new amendments to players and coaches of La Liga clubs, with the goal of clarifying the rules and answering related inquiries.

According to "Mundo Deportivo," Victor Garcia Verdugo previously officiated the Catalan Derby between Barcelona and their rivals last season, and he is preparing to enter a new phase in his refereeing career, as he will receive international status from FIFA on January 1, alongside referee Alejandro Quintero.