Starting next football season, new rules will come into effect as stipulated in the 139th IFAB Assembly. The changes introduced put goalkeepers in the spotlight, as they will now have to follow specific rules to avoid penalties. Additionally, VAR decisions will be made public.
If a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than 8 seconds, a corner kick will be awarded instead of an indirect free kick, as is currently the case. To enforce this, referees will implement a five-second countdown.
Furthermore, only the team captain will be allowed to approach the referee in specific situations. This measure aims to increase cooperation and fairness in the game. Also, if the ball is outside the penalty area when play is stopped, possession will be given to the team that had or would have had control, as determined by the referee. If it is unclear, possession will be awarded to the team that last touched the ball.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
Similarly, if a player or team official outside the field of play touches the ball after it goes out, without intending to interfere with the game, an indirect free kick will be awarded without disciplinary sanction.
Enhanced monitoring with technology
From now on, football referees will be allowed to wear body cameras during matches to better monitor movements on the field. These recordings can be used for educational and training purposes. This initiative is supported by IFAB as part of FIFA’s commitment to testing body cameras, aiming to improve the quality standards of the game.
For this reason, FIFA intends to implement these cameras in the upcoming Club World Cup. In fact, they will be used as part of the live broadcast of matches. This measure has had a very positive impact on player behavior in England, making it likely that body cameras will be implemented in all competitions in the future.
