The day before the start of the second part of the 2025/2026 Ukrainian season, the Arbitration Committee of the Ukrainian Football Association conducted a series of educational and training events for UPL observers, women's referees, and referees working in matches of the National League U-19.

As part of the preparation for resuming official matches, thematic seminars and training camps were organized to improve the quality of refereeing, unify interpretations, and implement current FIFA, UEFA, and UAF requirements.

Photo by the UAF press office

Participants of the seminars reviewed changes to the 2024/2025 Rules of Play. Observers discussed delegate issues and received methodological recommendations for working during matches. The final stage was a pedagogical test, including an UEFA video test, which allowed assessing their readiness to perform functional duties in the second part of the season.

Training camps for women's referees and U-19 National League referees lasted several days and included theoretical preparation, practical training, control of physical condition, taking a pedagogical test on knowledge of the Rules of Play, and an UEFA video test.

Photo by the UAF press office

Participants further practiced interpretations of combats and decision-making in complex game episodes, current FIFA, UEFA, and UAF requirements regarding the position "out of play," handling a ball with hands, simulation, and unsportsmanlike behavior, as well as issues related to teamwork among referee crews.

Special attention was given to preparation for matches and pre-match instructions, handling situations concerning offside and off-pitch, regulatory requirements for Ukrainian competitions, and recommendations on organizing the training process.

Photo by the UAF press office

In all training programs for referees and women's referees, practical sessions on the football field were included, daily functional status control, and individual theoretical discussions. Training camps for referees ended with a fitness test and evaluation of results.