Ouagadougou: The National Union of Football Referees of Guiriko organized a training session on Thursday at the Wobi stadium in Bobo-Dioulasso, focusing on the new changes to the 2026-2027 Laws of the Game, for coaches and team captains, in order to promote a better understanding of the rules and reduce disputes over refereeing decisions.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the event, themed "New Amendments to the Laws of the Game 2026-2027," was titled "24 Hours with the Referee," and brought together various stakeholders in regional football. Drissa Traor, Secretary General of the Guiriko Regional Football League, representing the League, praised the referees' initiative and congratulated them for organizing a conference for football stakeholders.

Mamadou Traor, president of the Guiriko Regional Referees Commission and a trainer, emphasized the importance of mastering the Laws of the Game, asserting that such knowledge contributes to improving the practice of football in Burkina Faso.

According to variste Thomas Bassol, Secretary General of the National Union of Referees of Guiriko and organizer of the conference, this meeting marked the second session aimed at informing stakeholders about developments in the Laws of the Game. The training targets coaches, team captains, and supporters, with the goal of disseminating the information widely. He noted that while referees undergo refresher courses, other stakeholders may not receive updated information. Therefore, the initiative seeks to ensure everyone masters the Laws of the Game.

The trainer highlighted that some changes aim to reduce wasted time and specified that these new provisions will be implemented during the 2026-2027 season. The objective is to minimize contestations of referees' decisions by fostering a better understanding and collective ownership of the rules among all football stakeholders.