IFAB will vote to leave the five substitutions forever

Football continues to twist its regulations. The IFAB panel of experts has raised a series of proposals to change, once again, the rules governing this sport and which will be approved in March. Among them is increasing the use of technology with VAR light for more modest competitions and also leaving the five substitutions per game forever and not returning to the three before.

IFAB experts advise leaving the five changes per game if the competitions so desire. A rule that was changed as a result of the coronavirus. Having to make up postponed games led to the calendar saturating and having to play every three days. The measure to protect the health of the footballers was to increase the number of substitutions for each team per game from three to five. Now, it will be voted to leave this measure forever. “Following a series of requests from confederations, associations, leagues and other key stakeholders for this option to be permanently introduced in the Laws of the Game (2022/23 edition), the expert panel recommended that competitions should be able to decide on increasing the number of substitutes according to the needs of their football environment, while the current number of substitution opportunities (three plus half time) should remain the same “, he claimed. It is also still being studied to give an extra change for concussion, but it will not be decided yet and it will continue to be studied.

Another point discussed was the penalty to the goalkeepers and their placement during a penalty shot: “Another issue discussed in today’s meeting was a clarification for the next edition of the Laws of the Game, namely confirming that a goalkeeper must be on the goal line before a penalty kick is taken (or a shot from the penalty spot), but is not penalized for having one foot behind the goal line at the time the kick is taken. “

What was not seen with good eyes was CONMEBOL’s proposal to extend the rest time between the first and second half. The South American confederation proposed to go from 15 minutes between the two times to 25. The experts disagree and would not be for the work: “Several members shared their concerns, in particular in relation to the possible negative impact on the well-being and safety of players resulting from a longer period of inactivity.”

At this meeting, the current application of the rule to sanction hands and the interpretation given to the offside rule as a result of the controversial Mbappé goal in the final of the France-Spain League of Nations was also discussed. A debate that has been led by Rosetti, UEFA’s chief referee. Although the IFAB has not yet communicated any threat of change in this standard. Neither does the automatic VAR application. This is an advance in the technology available in the VAR. Hawk-Eye, which is the provider of the video refereeing system for FIFA, UEFA and RFEF competitions, among others, has its software ready to use. It is based on tracking the players on the field and is capable of setting the line with exceptional precision in seconds. Reducing the time it takes today. Although it is expected that it will begin to be used from 2022, first using the Club World Cup as a test before implementing it in the Qatar World Cup.