The International Football Association Board (IFAB) of FIFA, which is the body that determines the laws of association football, announced a number of changes that will be implemented from June 1 onwards and may have a huge impact on the game.
Journalists were briefed at the Wembley Stadium yesterday over 95 rule changes that will take effect when England face Turkey in a warm-up match for the Euro 2016 on May 22.
The most significant change that will be made is to the punishments relating to the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). Players will receive a yellow card instead of a red card when they foul a player as the last man only if they attempt to play the ball.
The IFAB have also rectified the punishment for feinting during a penalty kick. Feinting at the end of a run has been frowned upon since 2010 and players have been ordered to retake the kick. However, they will be booked and an indirect free-kick will be awarded to the other team, whereas stuttering runs leading to the penalty kick are still allowed.
A big rule change was also announced where the referee is allowed the send players off for a pre-match violent conduct in the tunnel, and the player must be substituted prior to kick-off.
Here are some of the other rule changes:
IFAB: "At kick-off, the ball can now be kicked in any direction, including backwards so no team-mates allowed to stand in opponents' half"
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 9, 2016
Player accidentally losing boot allowed to "continue playing until play next stops". Under-shorts must be same colour as shorts – or the hem
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 9, 2016
Water breaks permissible in "very hot/humid conditions". Law changes applicable worldwide from June 1 (and for England's two May friendlies)
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 9, 2016
Injured player can get treatment on pitch for up to 20 seconds & stay on, i.e. not have to go to touchline & await ref's nod to come back on
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 9, 2016
IFAB may in the future debate changes to hand-ball laws, including on the line (Suarez v Ghana) which could be punished with a penalty goal.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 9, 2016
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