A number of modifications to the existing rules in the English Premiership have been effected after the International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved a number of amendments and clarifications to the current Laws of the Game.
These amendments took effect on June 1, 2019.
Dropped-ball
Dropped-ball is a method of restarting play in a game of association football. It is used when play has been stopped as a result of some reasons other than a normal game-play and or fouls.Changes made to the dropped-ball
The new football rule for dropped-ball states that if play is stopped inside the penalty area, the ball will be dropped for the goalkeeper at that half.
However, if the ball stopped outside the penalty area, the ball will be dropped for a player of the team that last touched the ball before it stopped.Reason for the amendment“The current dropped ball procedure often leads to a ‘manufactured’ restart which is ‘exploited’ unfairly (e.g. kicking the ball out for a throw-in deep in the opponents’ half) or an aggressive confrontation. Returning the ball to the team that last played it restores what was ‘lost’ when play was stopped, except in the penalty area where it is simpler to return the ball to the goalkeeper. To prevent that team gaining an unfair advantage, all players of both teams, except the player receiving the ball, must be at least 4 metres away.”“It can be very unfair if a team gains an advantage or scores a goal because the ball has hit a match official, especially the referee”.
Free-Kicks
Free-kicks is a method of restarting play in a game of association football that is awarded to a team following a foul.Changes to free-kicks
When there is a ‘wall’ of three or more defenders, the attackers are not allowed within 1 metre of the wall; an attacker less than 1 metre from the ‘wall’ when the•kick is taken will be penalised with an indirect free kick
When the defending team takes a free kick in their own penalty area, the ball is in play once the kick is taken; it does not have to leave the penalty area before it can be played.Reason for the amendment
“Attackers standing very close to, or in, the defensive ‘wall’ at a free kick often cause management problems and waste time. There is no legitimate tactical justification for attackers to be in the ‘wall’ and their presence is against the ‘spirit of the game’•and often damages the image of the game.”
“The experiment where, at a defending team free kick in the penalty area, the ball is in play once it is kicked and does not have to leave the penalty area, has produced a faster and more constructive restart. Opponents must remain outside the penalty area and at least 9.15 metres away until the ball is in play. The same change has been made to the goal kick .”
Goal Kick
A goal kick, is a method of restarting play in a game of association football. Its procedure is dictated by Law 16 of the Laws of the Game.ChangesThe ball is in play once the kick is taken; it can be played before leaving the penalty area unlike previously where players were not allowed to be in the penalty area while the goalkeeper takes the goal kick.Reason for the amendment
“The experiment that at a goal kick the ball is in play once it is kicked, and does not have to leave the penalty area, has created a faster and more dynamic/constructive restart to the game. It has reduced the time ‘lost/wasted’ including stopping the tactic of ‘wasting’ time when a defender deliberately plays the ball before it leaves the penalty area knowing that all that will happen is the goal kick will be retaken. Opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.”
Handball
A handball occurs if any player, other than the team’s goalkeeper deliberately handles the ball when in play.Changes
In this 2019/202 season, deliberate handball remains an offence
- The following ‘handball’ situations, even if accidental, will be a free kick:
- The ball goes into the goal after touching an attacking player’s hand/arm
- A player gains control/possession of the ball after it has touches their hand/arm•and then scores, or creates a goal-scoring opportunity
- The ball touches a player’s hand/arm which has made their body unnaturally bigger
- The ball touches a player’s hand/arm when it is above their shoulder (unless the player has deliberately played the ball which then touches their hand/arm)
- The following will not usually be a free kick, unless they are one of the above situations:
- The ball touches a player’s hand/arm directly from their own head/body/foot or the head/body/foot of another player who is close/near
- The ball touches a player’s hand/arm which is close to their body and has not made their body unnaturally bigger
- If a player is falling and the ball touches their hand/arm when it is between their body and the ground to support the body (but not extended to make the body bigger)
- If the goalkeeper attempts to ‘clear’ (release into play) a throw-in or deliberate kick from a team-mate but the ‘clearance’ fails, the goalkeeper can then handle the ball
Reason for the amendment
“Football does not accept a goal being scored by a hand/arm (even if accidental).”
“Football expects a player to be penalised for handball if they gain possession/control of the ball from their hand/arm and gain a major advantage e.g. score or create a goal-scoring opportunity.”
It is natural for a player to put their arm between their body and the ground for support when falling.
“Having the hand/arm above shoulder height is rarely a ‘natural’ position and a player is ‘taking a risk’ by having the hand/arm in that position, including when sliding.”
“If the ball comes off the player’s body, or off another player (of either team) who is•close by, onto the hands/arms it is often impossible to avoid contact with the ball.”
“When the GK clearly kicks or tries to kick the ball into play, this shows no intention to handle the ball so, if the ‘clearance’ attempt is unsuccessful, the goalkeeper can then handle the ball without committing an offence.”
Kick-Off
A kick-off is the method of starting and, in some cases, restarting play in a game of association football. The rules concerning the kick-off are part of Law 8 of the Laws of the Game.Changes
In this season, rules for kick-off states that the team that wins the toss can now choose to take the kick-off or which goal to attack unlike previously they only had the choice of which goal to attackReason for the amendment
“Recent Law changes have made the kick-off more dynamic (e.g. a goal can be scored directly from the kick-off) so captains winning the toss often ask to take the kick-off. ”
Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is a method of restarting play in association football, in which a player is allowed to take a single shot on the goal while it is defended only by the opposing team’s goalkeeper. It is awarded when a foul punishable by a direct free kick is committed by a player in their own penalty areaChanges
The team’s penalty taker can have (quick) treatment or assessment and then take the kick.
The goalkeeper must not be touching the goalposts, crossbar or nets; they must not be moving.
The goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot on/in line with the goal line when the kick is taken; cannot stand behind the line.Reason for the amendment
“It is unfair if the kicker needs assessment/treatment and then has to leave the field and cannot take the penalty kick.”
“The referee must not signal for the penalty kick to be taken if the goalkeeper is touching the goalposts, crossbar or net, or if they are moving e.g. the goalkeeper has kicked/shaken them.”
“Goalkeepers are not permitted to stand in front of or behind the line. Allowing the goalkeeper to have only one foot touching the goal line (or, if jumping, in line with the goal line) when the penalty kick is taken is a more practical approach as it is easier to identify if both feet are not on the line. As the kicker can ‘stutter’ in the run, it is reasonable that the goalkeeper can take one step in anticipation of the kick.”
Substitutes
Changes
In the 2018/2019 season, a player who is being substituted must leave the field by the nearest point on the touchline/goal line (unless the referee indicates the player can leave quickly/immediately at the halfway line or a different point because of safety, injury etc.)Reason for the amendment
“To stop a player who is being substituted ‘wasting’ time by leaving slowly at the halfway line (which is not a Law requirement) the player must leave at the nearest point (as with an injury) unless the referee indicates otherwise, e.g. if the player can leave quickly at the halfway line, there is a safety/security issue or the player leaves on a stretcher. The player must go immediately to the technical area or dressing room to avoid problems with substitutes, spectators, or the match officials. A player who infringes the spirit of this Law should be sanctioned for unsporting behaviour i.e. delaying the restart of play. ”
Team Officials
Changes
A team official guilty of misconduct will be shown a yellow card for caution or red card which sends the player off . If the offender cannot be identified, the senior coach who is in the technical area at the time will receive the yellow card or red card.Reason for the amendment
“The experiment with yellow card or red card for misconduct by team officials has been successful and has revealed many benefits at all levels, including for young referees dealing with ‘difficult’ adult coaches. If the offender cannot be identified, the senior team official (usually the main coach) in the technical area will receive the yellow card or red card (as the person responsible for the other team officials).”
All these amendments of the rules in the game are done by the administrators who continue to figure out the best way forward in a world of changing technology.