We’re only two weeks away from the World Cup, and we’ve already had plenty to talk about.
Thankfully, most of it revolves around football. But one of the big talking points before the big kick-off was the introduction of nine new rules, ranging from hydration breaks to the addition of VAR powers. We have now lived with these new laws long enough to pass judgment, but what happened to them?
Well, some people went down as expected. The hotly debated hydration break has been slammed by fans and experts alike, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. While new laws designed to crack down on time-wasting have largely been successful, corner fighting appears to have been greatly diminished by the threat of penalties.
Others didn’t go so well. For example, there is far less discussion overall about how games are officiated. Isn’t it refreshing?
And while there are still controversial VAR calls, such as Scotland’s failed penalty appeal against Morocco and Germany’s goal against Ecuador on Thursday night, it feels like it’s less discussed.
Referees are definitely conceding more and more contact, and it’s no joke every time a player waits for contact and “buys” a cheap free kick.
Consistency always seems to be an issue when it comes to the rules of the game, but another rule – that players who cover their mouths when talking to an opponent are automatically given a red card – sparked controversy when Jude Bellingham was not penalized for his actions. Former Newcastle midfielder Miguel Almiron was sent off to Paraguay just days earlier for his actions.
So we’re on the cusp of the World Cup finals, but have these new rules actually made life better?
Miguel Almiron was shown a red card for covering his mouth during Paraguay’s win over Torquier. (Image: (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images))
Below is a reminder of the new rules in full. Then let us know what you think.
VAR is used to stop grappling and blocking before corner kicks and free kicks. However, only the attacking team is penalized. Players who cover their mouths while talking to opponents in an “aggressive manner” may be sent off. Think Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron. Athletes and coaches who leave the field in protest of the referee’s decision will be automatically given a red card. This follows some crazy scenes at the Africa Cup of Nations. You have 5 seconds to receive a throw-in, otherwise it will be given to your opponent. It takes 5 seconds to receive a goal kick or corner kick. Otherwise it will be given to the other person. Players must leave the field within 10 seconds of being substituted unless they are injured. If a rule is violated, the substitute substitute must wait until the next stoppage of play. Players who are sent off for treatment will not be allowed to re-enter the pitch for one minute. This is designed to crack down on time wasters. An exception is if the keeper is injured or has a concussion. VAR can now intervene for a second yellow card if a yellow card is incorrectly identified as a red card or a corner kick is incorrectly awarded. There will be a three-minute hydration break at the midway point of each half of each game.
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