Football to Trial Major Rule Changes: Penalty Shootouts and Handballs in the Box with SIN BINS
Football’s Law-makers are set to introduce significant changes to the game next season in a major clampdown on handball offences in the penalty box. The International FA Board is expected to recommend new Laws that will result in red cards for “deliberate” handball offences, bringing them in line with deliberate fouls in the box. Other changes involving penalties and the use of VAR are also on the agenda for the upcoming annual general meeting. These potential alterations seek to address issues such as encroachment by goalkeepers and the introduction of sin-bins for certain offences, while also extending VAR powers to free-kicks, corners, and second yellow cards. Despite the reluctance to allow live broadcasting of conversations between referees and VAR officials, these potential changes are aimed at improving the fairness and integrity of the game.
Football’s Law-makers are set to introduce red cards for deliberate handballs in the penalty box next season, in a major clampdown on the current rules. The changes come following a meeting of the International FA Board and aim to bring deliberate handball offences in line with goal-stopping fouls where there is no intent to play the ball.
The new approach will mean players who deliberately raise their hands above the shoulder to block a cross or shot risk being sent off as well as conceding a penalty kick. Additionally, penalties will now require the ball to be placed at least partially over the centre of the penalty spot and goalkeeper encroachment will only be punished by a retake if it has a “material” effect on the outcome.
Other potential changes include trials for Laws that will only allow team captains to speak to officials and the possibility of sin-bins being introduced for offenses including repeated dissent and fouls that currently result in “harsh” red cards.
Despite recent controversies, there are no scheduled discussions of any potential changes to the offside rule. However, VAR powers could be extended to free-kicks, corners, and second yellow cards in the future. The International FA Board remains reluctant to allow live broadcasting of conversations between referees and VAR officials, whether on TV or in the stadium.
