By Andrew Warshaw
February 4 – Football’s law-makers are to study the idea of video replays, a controversial topic the FIFA hierarchy has long pledged will not be introduced as an addition to goal-line technology.
‘Video replays for match officials’ is the final item in the ‘any other business’ part of the agenda for the annual International FA Board meeting in Zurich on March 1.
It is not immediately clear who called for the subject to be placed on the agenda and although no decision will be made over its use, the very fact that is being discussed is bound to prompt considerable reaction. UEFA President Michel Platini, for one, has warned on several occasions that the implementation of goalline technology could eventually end up serving as a precedent towards video replays.
Also on the ‘any other business’ list is a discussion on the increasingly popular idea of rugby-style sin-bins – but only for recreational football – while UEFA have tabled a debate on the so-called ‘triple punishment’ which it strongly opposes, as do many in the game: penalty, sending off and suspension for the same offence when a goalscoring opportunity is denied.
The IFAB comprises FIFA and the four British associations and on the main agenda the English FA is seeking a rule change that would see players banned from revealing personal statements on their undergarments. The practice has become popular especially for players paying tribute to someone who has died.
The IFAB agenda states: “Currently what a player can reveal on any item of basic compulsory equipment is different to what he can on an undergarment i.e. he can’t reveal a personal statement or image on his outer jersey but he can on his undershirt.
“This amendment seeks to outline a consistent approach to both the outer jersey and all types of undergarment.”
The revised wording proposes: “A player/team of a player that reveals an undergarment that shows political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturers’ logo will be sanctioned by the competition organiser or by FIFA.”
There is also an item on headwear for male players, submitted by FIFA. “After a two-year pilot, there is no indication as to why the wearing of head covers should be prohibited, as long as their design restrictions are respected as defined in the pilot,” the wording states. ” Furthermore, the male football community has also raised the need for male players to be permitted to wear head covers, as it is considered discriminative.”
The restructuring of IFAB itself will form a key part of the annual meeting. Two new advisory panels are being set up, one comprising former players and coaches, the other a technical panel of referees and law experts – both providing guidance and recommendations.
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