New VAR and offside change: the revolution that is coming
The IFAB meets this Saturday to try to approve another set of rules, including the implementation of a new VAR, the modification of the offside rule and the fight against time wasting.
Football is preparing for a revolution. This Saturday, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the entity responsible for the rules of the game, will meet to discuss and approve new rules.
Among the proposals under discussion is the so-called Wenger Law, which could significantly change the criteria for offside, benefiting forwards. In addition, measures to reduce interruptions and the introduction of a new VAR system will be considered.
Wenger Law
This proposal, named after former coach Arsène Wenger, who advocated it, proposes changing the concept of offside. The new concept, which has been debated for a few years within the IFAB, consists of sanctioning an attacker’s advanced position as long as he isfullyin front of the last defender (not counting the goalkeeper).
This differs from the current rule, which states that if any part of the attacking player’s body (except the arms) is in front of the last defender, offside is called.
New VAR
The implementation of a new VAR system will also be discussed. One that is more affordable and less complex. The aim is for the video referee to be used, albeit in a more minimalist way, in competitions with less economic power.
This VAR will not have a video refereeing room or video referees who review all the plays of the game. In this case, it is the coaches who have the possibility of asking, on two occasions, to review any refereeing errors.
Combating anti-gambling
Finally, measures will be proposed to combat anti-play and time-wasting. At the moment, goalkeepers are the focus of attention. On numerous occasions, goalkeepers hold the ball for more than six seconds, exceeding the limit established in rule 12.2.
According to IFAB, this behaviour is intended to waste time, delay the ball being put back into play and minimise the risk of losing possession to the opposing team. To discourage this practice, IFAB considers it essential to apply an effective penalty.
It was therefore decided to test a new approach in youth football, which could eventually be adopted in professional football. The proposal includes increasing the time limit to eight seconds and changing the penalty to a corner kick or a goal kick, depending on the situation. In addition, the referee will have to signal the countdown with his fingers in the air, similar to what happens in futsal.
