By Andrew Warshaw
February 3 – Football’s lawmakers will consider allowing a fourth substitution in extra-time as well as finally doing away with the so-called “triple punishment” when they hold their main annual meeting later this month.
Both items are on the agenda of the International FA Board, comprising FIFA and the four British associations, which convenes in Belfast on February 27 and 28.
Triple punishment – penalty, sending off and suspension for offences committed inside the area that prevent goalscoring opportunities – has long been a contentious issue but has never been satisfactorily amended despite years of discussion.
One suggestion is to turn red cards into yellows if fouls are not deemed violent conduct in order to overcome the lack of consistent interpretation by officials.
From this year onwards, IFAB, whose members are administrators rather than players, is being aided by two new advisory panels consisting of ex-footballers and officials, technical experts and FIFPro, the players’ union, who will present crucial feedback with regard to all proposed amendments.
Using an additional substitute in extra time, by which time all three have often already been employed, could well get the thumbs up and would probably take effect from July. This change has been put forward by FIFA after taking soundings from its confederations.
The use of ‘sin bins’, another innovation that has been in the discussion phase for some time, is also on the table – but only for recreational football. There is also a “stop the clock” proposal made by US soccer authorities but this is only up for discussion, not decision.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s idea of bringing in video replays and permitting coaches to be allowed tennis-style challenges against refereeing decisions is also due to be discussed. Blatter first made the suggestion during FIFA’s annual congress in Sao Paulo in June.
This year’s IFAB meeting takes on additional interest given it comes three months before the Fifa presidential election.
Blatter, who invariably attends IFAB, will be sitting in the same room as federations who are openly campaigning for two of his rivals. The English FA are supporting Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan while the Scots are backing Dutch football chief Michael van Praag.
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