At its 138th annual meeting in Scotland, the International Federation of Association Football (IFAB) has adopted a number of amendments and clarifications to the Laws of the Game regarding concussion substitutions, equipment, fouls, misconduct and penalties.
The Council approved detailed protocols for three trials in domestic competitions in the lower divisions (except for the top two divisions) aimed at improving player behaviour:
1) only the team captain may approach the referee in certain situations;
2) water breaks are introduced with the referee having the right to demand that teams gather in their own penalty areas;
3) the time limit for goalkeepers to hold the ball is increased to eight seconds (if it is exceeded, possession of the ball passes to the opponent).
Any potential wider application of these guidelines will be considered only after the impact of these changes has been tested.
The IFAB has also decided to extend the trial within FIFA of the referee's public announcement of the final decision and reasoning after a VAR review to more domestic competitions. Participation in the trials will require permission from the IFAB and an obligation to comply with FIFA's refereeing and technology guidelines.
Changes and clarifications to the Laws of the Game 2024/2025
The following changes and clarifications will be made to the next edition of the Laws of the Game, which will come into force on 1 July 2024:
Rule 3 (players): the option of additional substitutions in the event of concussion is permitted in accordance with the required protocol.
Rule 3 (players) and Rule 4 (player equipment): Each team must have a captain who wears an identification armband.
Rule 4 (players' equipment): players are responsible for the size and fit of their pads, which remain a mandatory part of their equipment.
Rule 12 (Fouls and misconduct): Handballs that are unintentional and for which a penalty is awarded shall be treated in the same way as other fouls.
Rule 14 (penalties): part of the ball must touch or hang over the centre of the penalty mark, and field players entering (infringing) the penalty area will only be penalised if they are affected.
Although these changes will come into force on 1 July 2024, they may be introduced earlier in competitions that start before that date or postponed until the start of the next competition at the latest.
FIFA confirmed the launch of a global campaign to raise awareness of how to recognise the symptoms of concussion and treat it appropriately, and IFAB will be asked to provide a medical data analysis at its next general meeting in line with the amendment to Rule 3 on this topic.
In addition, the board received an update on the trial in England with body cameras at amateur level and a ban on "deliberate head movement" at U-12 and below.
The IFAB also received an update on the trial of the new offside rules that was conducted at U-18 level in Italy and agreed to continue the trial.
