By Andrew Warshaw
November 27 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s idea of bringing in video replays and permitting coaches to be allowed tennis-style challenges against refereeing decisions appears unlikely to be implemented in the near future.
Blatter first made the suggestion during FIFA’s annual congress in Sao Paulo in June, raising eyebrows among delegates since he had hitherto been opposed to any video aids other than goal-line technology. The idea was discussed earlier this week at the annual business meeting of the International FA Board, which consists of FIFA and the four British associations and which was aided, for the first time, by two newly established advisory panels of experts given a platform to directly voice their views on the laws of the game.
Only at the main IFAB annual session in the spring can amendments to the laws of the game be made. But the concept of challenges is unlikely to be approved at the February 27-March 1 summit in Belfast.
“We were not sure about the idea of giving teams a challenging opportunity,” Welsh FA chief executive Jonathan Ford told Insideworldfootball. “The principle of video replays is something that will be discussed further. We should never say never but there was a degree of scepticism around the table.”
Stewart Regan, Ford’s opposite number in Scotland, added: “We feel there are a lot of questions that need to be answered. We’ll keep talking but I can’t see this coming into effect in time for next season.”
Ford said the contribution of the two new advisory panels – consisting of eminent ex-players and officials, technical experts and FIFPro, the players’ union – marked an important step in terms of when and whether to tamper with the laws of the game. “We had some great dialogue and it ushers in a new era,” he said.
Doing away with the so-called “triple punishment” – penalty, sending off and suspension for offences committed inside the area that prevent goalscoring opportunities – was another topic of discussion.
But there was no consensus reached and the matter will once again be debated at the annual meeting. One suggestion is to turn red cards into yellows if fouls are not deemed violent conduct. “Everyone acknowledges that the three punishments as they stand are too severe,” said Ford. “But we’re still trying to grapple with the best solution.”
One innovation that seems certain to be agreed is the introduction of rolling substitutes for amateur and recreational footballers following a successful pilot scheme by the English and Scottish FAs. Rolling subs are already used widely in other leagues and youth football around the world.
Currently the rules 11-a-side allow a maximum of five substitutes to be named, with three allowed to be used, meaning that in parks and playing fields across the country each week some amateur footballers do not even get on to the field of play.
A law change would mean that repeat substitutions could become a feature of all grassroots youth and adult matches from next season. “It will have substantial benefit with players knowing they will get a game at some point,” said Regan. “Obviously the game will have to be stopped but it means more players can be involved. It will go forward with a strong recommendation but there was general support this week.”
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