After the presidential word of power against the blue card, Gianni Infantino sent his close confidant Mattias Grafström in front of the cameras. The FIFA boss had already announced his opinion before the meeting of the International Football Association Board (Ifab).
It was actually clear that there would be no time penalties in professional football for the foreseeable future. Not surprisingly, the rules committee near Glasgow followed Infantino’s instructions. But some other changes may be tested in the future.
Why was the Blue Card stopped?
You can accuse Infantino of a lot, but he has a feel for tricky situations. A striking change like a blue card for a time penalty was too risky for the FIFA boss. Possible ongoing debates after controversial decisions such as the bumpy introduction of video evidence would harm the professional business, according to fears not only in the highest circles of the world association. Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp also saw the next controversy emerging.
The only astonishing thing was that Infantino waited until shortly before the meeting to stop the project, which was also being pushed forward internally in the world association, with his nightly interview in front of the luxury hotel in Scotland. The idea should be further tested in youth and amateur football, but Infantino has nothing against that. The DFB did not want to comment on the events in Loch Lomond on Sunday.
Which further rule test runs have been decided?
Cool-down phase: If things get too heated on the pitch, the referees can send both teams to their penalty area to symbolically cool down for a few minutes. The field trial already exists in Württemberg and it practically serves as a model for Ifab.
Captains as speakers: If, for example, things get too heated when forming a pack, only the captains are allowed to speak to the referee upon a signal from the referee; all other players must move away from the scene.
Goalkeeper time game: The goalkeeper is allowed to hold the ball in his hands for eight seconds. The referee indicates the time limit by counting down. After expiration there is no longer an indirect free kick in the penalty area, but possession of the ball goes to the opponent. A throw-in or corner is under discussion.
When and where will the rules be tested?
From July 1st, the test phases will officially run for one year. All national associations or competition organizers can then decide whether they want to participate. However, the highest two divisions in a country are excluded. FIFA Interim Secretary General Grafström has already announced that testing will take place at the Olympics in the summer. Ifab then decides whether the rules become mandatory.
What does that mean for German football fans?
It is not yet known whether the rules will also be tried out in German football. The German Football Association can decide this for the leagues from the 3rd league downwards. The procedure will now be discussed. Ultimately, the regional associations could also make a decision for their competitions.
What else has been decided?
The test phase for the announcement of video decisions in the stadium was expanded. It remains to be seen whether it will become mandatory at some point.
In addition to a penalty, a handball in the penalty area will now only be given yellow instead of red, unless the handball was intentionally committed to prevent a goal-scoring opportunity.
In the future, there may be additional substitutions if a player is suspected of having a concussion. However, this is permanent for the entire game and cannot be reversed, as the English Premier League clubs had hoped, if the player is fit again at short notice.
