IFAB is considering further rule changes as it continues to tackle wasting time through throw-ins and feigning injuries, particularly for goalkeepers.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been accused of fabricating an injury during Man City’s win over Leeds (Image: (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images))
Soccer rule makers want to introduce further threats to prevent wasting time, while new changes are being considered to stop players faking injuries.
The International FA Board (IFAB) will hold its annual business meeting in London on Tuesday, where it hopes to address injury delays and set a deadline for substitutions.
There is already a rule that players who are sent off for treatment must stay out for 60 seconds, essentially to prevent players from pretending to be injured and then returning too soon.
This is a controversial topic, but after a positive trial at last year’s FIFA Arab Cup, rule makers may take this policy further. In the Qatar tournament, outfield players receiving treatment for an injury had to leave the pitch for two minutes unless they were the victim of a foul that resulted in an opponent receiving a yellow or red card.
FIFA wants the rule to be widely adopted and is also working with goalkeepers on how it can be countered, The Times reports. There have been suggestions that managers are encouraging shot-stoppers to turn off because they know they won’t. Leaders are considering whether an outfielder should be sent off in his place.
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IFAB will also discuss how to stop players and managers from encouraging time-wasting as the ball-in-play time in the Premier League is cut by one-and-a-half minutes to 55 minutes and 28 seconds this season.
This season, a law was introduced that threatens goalkeepers with a corner kick if they hold onto the ball too long. They will receive a warning from the referee in the form of an 8 second countdown. IFAB is currently considering extending the rule to include goal kicks and throw-ins if referees feel their time is being wasted.
Throw-ins cited as a waste of time (Image: Getty Images)
“Goalkeepers being penalized for bookings late in games is a common occurrence in English football. Long throws have been used more this season and naturally take longer to set up. However, this rule would only apply if it was deemed to be a waste of time.”
FIFA will also provide an update on the so-called ‘Wenger’s Law’. The former Arsenal manager is influencing a rule change that he hopes will provide clarity between attackers and defenders on whether offside will be awarded. However, the plan faces unanimous opposition from the British association and UEFA.
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