When the game of football does return to our screens and our stadiums, it may look slightly different. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a temporary amendment to football’s current rules.
FIFA proposed the temporary change to the IFAB, who oversees the rules for football. The change was accepted and can now be used in games that are scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2020.
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The change is to help with the compact schedules that are sure to follow, as clubs attempt to finish their respective leagues. It is possible that many leagues will have to play a few games in a short period of time.
FIFA confirmed this in a statement on its website. “The temporary amendment comes into force with immediate effect and has been made as matches may be played in a condensed period in different weather conditions, both of which could have impacts on player welfare.”
Teams can now make five substitutions in a game. However, they can only do this at three points in the game, or at half time. This is to ensure the rule is not used as a time-wasting technique.
Also, the video assistant referee system (VAR) will not be mandatory to utilise. Competitions can choose to stop using video technology. The Premier League will meet with its clubs to decide if VAR will be used for the rest of the season.
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FIFA stated, “The decision on whether to apply this temporary amendment will remain at the discretion of each individual competition organiser.” Therefore, each competition will decide if they will use the amendment.
Furthermore, The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga have agreed to use the temporary amendment if football is to restart in Spain.
These are unprecedented times within the world of football. This, therefore, calls for unprecedented action by authorities to assist leagues in achieving their goal; to complete the 2019/20 season.
