Reports now indicate that football might be set to get two new changes in terms of the rules of the game in the coming seasons.
IFAB is reportedly considering changes to the football rules surrounding time-wasting and offside, partly influenced by Arsenal legend Arsène Wenger.
According to The Times, one proposed amendment would penalize goalkeepers holding the ball for more than eight seconds by awarding a corner kick to the opposing team. This contrasts with the current rule, which allows referees to issue an indirect free-kick for time-wasting, though this is rarely enforced due to delays in setting up the play.
The new regulations, developed under Wenger’s role as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, are already being trialled in the Premier League’s Under-21 competition, Malta, and Italy’s U20 league. These experiments aim to refine time-wasting measures and improve offside rule clarity, potentially incorporating advanced technology to assist referees.
Key Proposed Changes:
Time-Wasting: Stricter enforcement on how long goalkeepers can hold the ball, with corner kicks acting as a significant deterrent.Offside Rule: Potential adjustments to reduce disputes, likely involving technological tools.
The trials’ outcomes, particularly in Italy, will determine if these changes are implemented globally to enhance the game’s flow and fairness.
Patrick Nelson, CEO of the Irish FA, highlighted promising results from the trials, stating that awarding corners for excessive ball-holding has been a strong deterrent. He noted, “The data shows almost no corners being awarded, suggesting goalkeepers are releasing the ball faster, exactly as intended.”
Nelson added that the potential consequences of conceding a corner, especially one leading to a goal, would prompt goalkeepers to adapt their behaviour quickly, fundamentally altering their approach to time management during games.
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