IFAB Introduces 5 Historic Changes to Football's Laws"

 

"IFAB Introduces 5 Historic Changes to Football's Laws"

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved five significant changes to the laws of football, following experiments that demonstrated a positive impact on various aspects of the game. The decisions were made during the 139th meeting of the governing body, held in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The new rules will come into effect starting from the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, scheduled to take place between June 14 and July 13, 2025. The changes will then be implemented across various competitions beginning with the 2025/26 season.

One of the key changes is the introduction of a new rule aimed at preventing goalkeepers from wasting time. If a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than eight seconds, the opposing team will be awarded a corner kick. The previous rule stated that goalkeepers could not hold onto the ball for more than six seconds, and if they did, a indirect free kick would be awarded to the opposing team.

Other changes include:

- Restricting team captains from arguing with referees, with only the captain allowed to speak to the referee in specific situations.

- Modifying the drop ball rule, where the ball will be awarded to the team that last touched it before the game was stopped, unless it was in the penalty area.

- Introducing a new rule regarding outside interference, where if a member of the technical staff, substitutes, or a sent-off player touches the ball after it has gone out of bounds without intending to interfere unfairly, an indirect free kick will be awarded without disciplinary action.

- Requiring referees to publicly explain their decisions after reviewing footage using VAR technology, especially in FIFA competitions.

_:_ IFAB, #Football #Laws, #Goalkeeper #Time-#Wasting, #VAR #Technology, #Referee #Decisions

_Date:_ 03.03.2025 | 

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