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SAO PAULO -- The Brazilian confederation is meeting with the captains of all 20 first-division teams to try to clarify a controversial change in the way referees have been giving handball decisions, hoping to ease criticism from clubs, coaches and the media. The number of penalty kicks awarded in Brazil has increased significantly since a new recommendation from the confederation prompted referees to be more rigorous when calling handballs, especially inside the penalty area. The change created confusion and drew complaints from virtually all parties involved. Referees considered going on strike because of the "lack of respect" for officials. The confederation said it has not changed international football laws but warned players they could be penalised for handball even if the contact was not deliberate. The confederation insists it did not tell referees to give a free kick every time the ball touches a hand or arm, but said players should not put themselves at risk of blocking a shot with their hands when inside the area. There have been disputed handball decisions in nearly every round of games since the new recommendations were introduced a few weeks ago. Referees started blowing for handball almost every time the ball touched a player's hand inside the penalty area, apparently regardless of intention to block shots or crosses. Some referees are being more rigorous than others, prompting even more confusion and complaints. Referees, saying that they are only following the confederation's recommendations, last week threatened to halt the Brazilian league unless football officials and the nation's sports tribunal took serious actions against those "not respecting" the officials. When told about the way referees have been officiating in Brazil, FIFA head of refereeing Massimo Busacca recently told Brazilian reporters that they didn't appear to be following FIFA's recommendations. He said it's always up to the referees to try to decide whether players are intentionally using their hands or arms to handle the ball. Referees officiating in the Brazilian league this weekend will be in Thursday's meeting to speak to the players, who have also been demanding more consistency in the calls. Members of the media have been invited to participate. The confederation said it will show 34 videos to try to clarify how handballs are being applied, including eight from local decisions analysed by FIFA and deemed correct. "Referees and rules instructors will debate and analyse the rules of football, especially regarding FIFA's recommendations on handballs," the confederation said. The Brazilian confederation did not say whether Thursday's meeting came in response to the referees' threat.
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