BY International Herald Tribune

UEFA instructed referees Thursday to protect players from excessive force and crack down on simulation of injuries at the European Championship.

European soccer's governing body told officials to stamp out pushing and shoving in the penalty area before corners and free kicks, with yellow cards to be awarded on a second offense.

Players involved in mass confrontations will receive cautions, including those who run to join in, while anyone using arms and elbows will be sent off at the June 7-29 tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

"We want the best players at the end of June to be in the same fine shape as they were in the beginning of June," UEFA referees trainer Hugh Dallas said.

Assistant referees will have increased responsibilities that allow them to make calls referees don't see, such as holding in the penalty box.

UEFA is clamping down on players who fake injuries or disrespect referees, with any diving or dissent resulting in yellow cards. Officials can review videos after games and punish players retroactively for simulating injuries.

The announcements came as UEFA introduced the 12 referees, 24 assistant refs and eight fourth officials for the tournament. Three-man refereeing teams were chosen from 12 nations along with eight individual referees from other European countries.

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