Football Lawmakers Grant VAR Enhanced Authority Ahead of World Cup
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has sanctioned significant modifications to the football lawbook, broadening the scope of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology and implementing new regulations aimed at preserving match tempo. These adjustments, ratified during IFAB's annual general meeting in Wales on Saturday, are scheduled to take effect from 1 July and will be applied at this summer's World Cup, commencing on 11 June.
VAR Protocol Expanded to Include Second Yellow Cards and Corners
VAR's capabilities have been substantially augmented, with the core protocol now encompassing second yellow card incidents and cards erroneously awarded to the wrong team. Additionally, competitions will have the option to utilise VAR for verifying corner kicks from this summer onwards, although this will not be mandatory. Lawmakers emphasise that VAR checks on corners must not postpone the kick and should only identify obvious errors. Notably, VAR will not recommend issuing a second yellow card if one was not initially shown on the field, focusing solely on rectifying incorrect awards.
New Measures to Combat Time-Wasting and Disruptions
In response to tactics that impede game flow, IFAB has introduced a suite of measures to accelerate play and minimise stoppages. Referees will be empowered to initiate a five-second countdown when players excessively delay throw-ins or dead-ball goal kicks. Substitutions must be completed within ten seconds; failure to do so will result in the substitute being sidelined for at least one minute. Furthermore, any player whose injury causes a stoppage will be required to spend a minimum of one minute off the field, a rule extended from the Premier League's 30-second trial, deemed insufficient as a deterrent by some IFAB members.
The objective of these regulations is to sustain match tempo, reduce added time for interruptions—benefiting player welfare, supporters, and broadcast schedules—and build on the success of the existing eight-second rule for goalkeepers. IFAB has also endorsed trials to address goalkeeper tactical injury delays and will consult on measures to penalise players leaving the field in protest or covering their mouths during confrontations, incidents highlighted by recent events such as the Africa Cup of Nations final walk-off and allegations in a Champions League match.
