The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has introduced a set of new rules for the FIFA Football World Cup, which is set to begin on June 11. These regulations are aimed at making the game more transparent, fair, and disciplined.
The 1st rule concerns player conduct during arguments on the field. If a player covers his mouth with his hand, arm, or jersey while arguing with another player, the referee can directly issue a red card.
The 2nd rule is related to substitutions. A player being substituted must leave the field within 10 seconds and use the nearest exit point. If the incoming player is delayed, he will not be allowed onto the field immediately. As a result, the team will have to play temporarily with one player fewer.
The 3rd rule focuses on time-wasting. If the referee believes players are deliberately delaying throw-ins or corner kicks, a five-second countdown will be initiated. If play is not restarted within that time, possession of the ball will be awarded to the opposing team.
The 4th rule involves the expanded use of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology. Referees will use VAR more frequently to identify clear mistakes, particularly in situations involving corner-kick decisions, attacking fouls, second yellow cards, or cases where the wrong player has been penalized.
The 5th rule is designed for injured players. Outfield players who receive medical treatment must remain off the field for at least one minute before returning to play. However, this rule may be waived in cases of serious injuries.
In addition to these, two more important rules have been introduced.
One of them deals with protests against referees' decisions. Players or coaches who openly protest a referee's decision may face strict disciplinary action, including a red card. If such protests escalate significantly, the match could even be abandoned, and the offending team may be forced to forfeit the game.
The final rule relates to player hydration. Considering the high temperatures expected at some venues, hydration breaks will be allowed during each half of the match. This will give players an opportunity to drink water and cool down.
With these changes, IFAB aims to improve the overall quality of the game and ensure matches are conducted in a more transparent and fair manner. FIFA believes these new regulations will help maintain discipline, reduce controversies, and enhance the overall experience of the World Cup.
