Important decisions are only explained to the captain by the referee – this procedure has so far been a test, but is now to be firmly in the rules.
The International Football Association Baord (IFAB) meets on March 1st in the Northern Irish Belfast for its general assembly. It is this body and not the World Association FIFA that discusses and changes the rules of football game.
Positive experiences with captain rule at the EM
The Captain rule states that the referees only explain the decision -making process to the captain in the event of important decisions so as not to speak to several people at the same time. All other players face a yellow card if they interfere with the conversation. A widespread failure is that the other players are generally not allowed to speak to Schiris throughout the game – this is still possible.
In Belfast, the captain rule should rise from a test to a fixed part of the rules. For the competitions, however, the rule is only an option – and not a duty. If it is desired in a competition, the rule can be used.
The UEFA used the captain rule at the European Championship 2024 in Germany. The procedure was generally rated positively, in Germany the rule now applies nationwide in all play classes.
Schiri announcements also come into the rules
The announcements of referees after interventions by the video assistant also come into the rules permanently. The Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga are currently using the procedure as a test. FIFA had used the principle at the WM of the Women 2023 or the 2023 Club World Cup.
Referee Robin Braun made the first referee announcement in the Bundesliga near Leverkusen – Hoffenheim.
According to those responsible, the aim is to create more transparency. However, the biggest profit is speed: because the announcements come faster than the previous information boards on the video walls.
Tests for time game and apart from the discussion
Only discussed and not decided ongoing test procedures. This includes, for example, the fight against time game. It is about the six-second rule. This stipulates that the goalkeepers are not allowed to hold the ball in hand for more than six seconds at a time. There are often discussions with fans that the rule is not consistently enforced.
The six-second rule is often under discussion.
The hook for referees: The continuation of the game in a violation of the six-second rule is an indirect free kick in the penalty area for the other team. Measured by the offense, this is a rather draconian sanction – so it’s also about proportionality.
The three key points of the test:
- The possession of the ball is supposed to be over, for example a corner ball or a throw -in Change – the indirect free kick in the penalty area would be eliminated.
- In the test, the goalkeepers should eight instead of six seconds so far Hold the ball in your hand – a courtesy to the goalkeepers.
- In return, the rule should be enforced more consistently. For this, there should be a new shape of the “counting” of the closures: The referees should show the last five seconds with their fingers.
In addition, there are also about changes to the offside rule. Again and again there have been suggestions in recent years that, for example, an attacker should only be in the offside when he is completely in front of the last defender. Such fundamental changes are still far away.
Ifab – what is it?
The ifab traditionally defines the Ifab. The ifab was founded in front of FIFA and recognized by the World Association when it was founded as a regular committee. FIFA has a big say in the Ifab. Four of the eight voting members come from FIFA, the other four votes hold the four British associations from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In order to enforce a change of rule, a three -quarters majority is necessary at the General Assembly. So the FIFA cannot enforce nothing without the British, the other way around, this is also not possible. However, unity is usually reached in advance.
Press conference after an IFAB session