Football lawmakers convene to discuss significant rule amendments
Football’s governing body will gather to deliberate on significant amendments to the sport’s rulebook, with broader dismissal criteria for fouls that prevent scoring chances among the key topics, reports BritPanorama.
The International Football Association Board’s annual business meeting in London represents a crucial stage for any modifications that could shape next season’s Fifa World Cup and domestic competitions.
Arsene Wenger’s much-discussed “daylight” offside concept appears destined to be shelved, with lawmakers instead favouring trials of an alternative “torso” approach deemed more equitable for defending sides.
Additional matters before the Ifab include addressing goalkeeper feigned injuries used as tactical breaks, potential VAR involvement in corner decisions and second bookings, plus time limits on restarts.
Final approval requires a vote at the Cardiff annual general meeting on February 28. Under current regulations, defenders face dismissal for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity only when the fouled attacker is bearing down on goal themselves.
The proposed expansion would extend this to situations where teammates of the fouled player could have received a pass and scored instead. Lawmakers are considering adding “location and number of attackers” to the criteria referees must weigh when judging such incidents.
Fast counterattacks represent the primary scenario in which this change would apply. A separate proposal would eliminate bookings for DOGSO offences when advantage is played and results in a goal. Last season provided a relevant example when Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey fouled Mohamed Salah through on goal, but Darwin Nunez converted from the loose ball.
Under existing rules, Bailey warranted a caution, but the suggested amendment would remove any sanction entirely. The practice of keepers going down injured to allow tactical discussions is widely criticised.
In November, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke accused Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma of faking an injury to “bend the rules” during their Premier League encounter. Since outfield players must leave the pitch for 30 seconds after treatment, the Ifab is exploring whether coaches should be required to temporarily replace a different player when their goalkeeper receives treatment.
Fifa is seeking special permission to review corner decisions at this summer’s World Cup, believing checks can be completed before teams are positioned. The Ifab is preparing to launch youth football trials using the upper body rather than the head and feet to determine offside positions.
The head of referees at the world governing body, Pierluigi Collina, backs extending VAR to correct any error that can be swiftly identified. VAR reviews for second yellow card dismissals appear certain to gain approval, though potential bookable offences by cautioned players will remain outside the system’s scope.
Building on the successful eight-second rule for goalkeepers holding the ball, lawmakers are examining countdown timers for throw-ins and goal kicks. The Ifab will also consider allowing taped jewellery that cannot be removed, following West Ham’s Estelle Cascarino being prevented from entering a match earlier this month.
As discussions unfold, the balance between maintaining the integrity of the game and adapting to modern pressures remains delicate — a hallmark of football’s evolving landscape.
