GOALIES, REFS TO BENEFIT MORE FROM NEW LAWS

MBABANE – The changes, which were ratified just two months ago by IFAB look to bring considerable benefits to goalkeepers and match officials.  

The footballs-lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved five new rules changes for the upcoming season just two months ago. As long as the trails transitioning at this stage is allowed, they are expected to come into effect on July 1, 2024.

Among the changes were two trials designed to aid referees in regulating player behaviour. The laws establish the captain-only zones. As of next season, only the skipper of each side is allowed to approach the referee and this will be introduced to prevent the official being bombarded once they have made a decision. It is common that players crowd the man in blank  to launch a complaint if they feel disgruntled with a certain decision.

“In the event of mass confrontations, referees have been given the go-ahead to halt matches, which will be known as cooling-off periods. The referee will be allowed to tell teams to go to their own penalty area to ensure that all involved parties have ‘calmed down’ and are ready to resume the plays,” reads part of this IFAB law.
In another change, shot stoppers will also have more seconds holding the ball.

According to the new changes, goalkeepers are also going to benefit from these new changes with their allotted time they are allowed to hold the ball being increased from six to eight seconds. At   times,   goalkeepers use as one of the games management strategies. “In the result of them holding the ball longer than their eight-second period, possession will be awarded to the opposition team,” states the law.

Moreover, teams will be allowed additional permanent concussion substitutions, outside their allotted allowance, if any player is showing signs of a concussion. This will happen regardless of the number of substitutions they have made already but on a case by case competition option, in accordance with the necessary protocol.

There will be also two changes to Law Four which is about ‘the players’ equipment. Players are solely responsible for the size and suitability of shin guards to optimise player protection and each team must have a captain with a visible and identifiable armband. In terms of fouls and misconduct, any handball offence that is deemed not deliberate, which results in a penalty, is set to be handled in the same manner as fouls.

However, players stepping up to take a penalty will have to ensure that part of the ball is touching or overhanging the centre of the penalty spot. Adding to this, encroachment by outfield players will only be penalised and have a detrimental effect if it has an impact on the player shooting from 12 yards out.

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