IFAB vote on changes to “The Players’ Equipment”

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) convened at the Home of FIFA in Zurich on Saturday for its Annual General Meeting (AGM), chaired by FIFA President Blatter. This meeting was the 128th AGM since The IFAB was formed in 1886 and the first since the historic foundation meeting on 13 January 2014, which marked a new era for football’s rule-making body in becoming an independent association under the Swiss Civil Code. FIFA President Blatter opened the meeting by highlighting the importance of the new structure, which includes two new advisory panels – a Technical Panel and a Football Panel – ensuring a more proactive approach and broader consultation by including different stakeholders from across the world of football to support The IFAB before decisions are passed. The composition of the advisory panels was discussed at today’s AGM. A draft list will be finalised by The IFAB in the coming weeks and the two panels confirmed in due course once the invitations have been sent out and all members have accepted.

In relation to the Laws of the Game, The IFAB approved the modification to the interpretation of ‘Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment’ specifying the provisions by which male and female players can now wear head covers. After a two-year pilot, The IFAB agreed that there was no indication as to why the wearing of head covers should be prohibited, as long as their design restrictions are respected in line with the new wording of Law 4, agreed on at today’s AGM. Law 4 was also modified today to clarify that both compulsory equipment and undergarments must not have any kind of slogans, statements or images. Previously, what a player could reveal on any item of basic compulsory equipment was different to what he or she could wear on an undergarment. The IFAB therefore approved the clarification in order to have a consistent approach that is also easier to regulate.

On the agenda point relating to rolling subs for amateur/recreational football, which was submitted by The Football Association (FA) and The Scottish Football Association (SFA), The IFAB decided that the pilots initiated by The FA and the SFA shall continue and that the results will be submitted to the two new advisory panels for further discussion.

The matter of electronic performance and tracking systems, which relates to players wearing chips or other small devices that can monitor player performance, will be referred to the advisory panels. The first report that the panels will receive will be from next week’s Algarve Cup in Portugal, where The IFAB has initiated and permitted a trial of some of these systems for the senior women’s teams involved.

For the submission from UEFA relating to the use of ‘Sin Bins’ in recreational youth football, The IFAB agreed that the experiments may continue, under the control of The IFAB, and that the advisory panels should further deliberate on the matter.

UEFA also submitted a proposal to remove the red card given for any offence denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity inside the penalty area. The IFAB acknowledged that the so-called ‘triple punishment’ has been heavily debated including concerns that, if red cards were to be removed, it would lead to cynical fouls – as was the case under the previous wording of ‘Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct’ in relation to sending off offences. It was decided that the advisory panels should consider the matter to analyse how Law 12 might be further clarified.

The IFAB will also instruct the two advisory panels to discuss Law 12 with respect to handling the ball, after an initial proposal from the Football Association of Wales (FAW), to advise if any modification should be made.

After a discussion on the potential use of video replays for match officials, The IFAB remains of the view that technology should be allowed only for goal-line incidents, since it is a clear yes or no decision. Concerns were raised about video replays slowing the game down or increasing the number of stoppages.

A proposal from the Technical Sub-Committee was approved whereby The IFAB will appoint a group to revise the structure and format of the Laws of the Game including changes such as the addition of a glossary. This glossary will help to clarify wording in the Laws. For instance, since 'Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play: Dropped Ball' was changed at the 126th IFAB AGM in March 2012, there has still been some discussion on the interpretation of the word ‘direct.’ At today’s AGM, The IFAB noted that a new glossary will help to better define the wording in this case and others.

The modifications to the Laws of the Game made at today’s AGM will come into effect on 1 June 2014, taking into account the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The 129th Annual General Meeting will take place in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 27 February - 1 March 2015.

Source: FIFA

Foundation meeting marks new era for IFAB

It was a landmark day in the 127-year history of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Monday as a signing ceremony in Zurich marked the beginning of a new era for the board as an autonomous organisation. The IFAB – the body in charge of acting as the guardian of the Laws of the Game – is now officially registered as an independent association under the Swiss Civil Code, with its own statutes that define the purpose, structure and responsibilities of the board and its bodies.

During the meeting at the Home of FIFA, the founding members of the IFAB were named as: The Football Association (represented by Chairman Greg Dyke), the Scottish Football Association (represented by President Campbell Ogilvie), the Football Association of Wales (represented by President Trefor Lloyd Hughes), the Irish Football Association (represented by President Jim Shaw), and FIFA (represented by FIFA President Blatter). The Board of Directors was confirmed to include Jérôme Valcke (FIFA Secretary General), Jonathan Ford (Chief Executive of the FAW), Alex Horne (General Secretary of The FA), Patrick Nelson (Chief Executive of the IFA) and Stewart Regan (Chief Executive of the SFA) – all of whom were also in attendance. The foundation meeting marked a significant step in the IFAB reform process, run in parallel with FIFA’s own governance reform process, which has included a detailed and thorough review of IFAB processes. Another key change is the introduction of two new advisory panels – a Technical Panel and a Football Panel – which will include different stakeholders from across the world of football to support the IFAB with greater expertise before decisions are passed. This will improve the consultative process, with the panel members providing a wider understanding of how football is being played globally. The composition of these panels will be confirmed at the next Annual General Meeting on 1 March 2014 in Zurich. An executive support office is also being introduced, which will be the administrative arm of the IFAB led by the secretary of the board who will report to, and act on behalf of, the Board of Directors. This office, with its headquarters in Zurich, will be dealing with all administrative matters of the IFAB and will also be the main contact for the board. Additionally, in order to enhance the independence and improve the understanding of the Laws of the Game and all processes involved, the IFAB will launch its own website, where all documents will be available and the reasoning behind IFAB decisions will be published. Meanwhile, the voting procedure will remain the same, with the British members having one vote each and FIFA, representing the remaining 205 associations, holding four votes. For a decision to be passed at the AGM, a 75% majority is required. Any member association can suggest amendments to the Laws of the Game through one of the IFAB members, who are responsible for proposing matters to be discussed at the AGM.

Source: FIFA

New wording for Law 11 (Offside)

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) under the chairmanship of the Scottish FA President Campbell Ogilvie, convened for its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 2 March 2013, at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland. This meeting was the 127th AGM since the IFAB was formed in 1886 and also marked the centenary of FIFA’s participation as a member of the IFAB.

In relation to the Laws of the Game, IFAB approved the following wording clarification:
Law 11 – Offside – Interpretation of the Laws of the Game
In the context of Law 11 – Offside, the following definitions apply:
- "interfering with play" means playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a team-mate
- "interfering with an opponent" means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball.
- "gaining an advantage by being in that position" means playing a ball
(i) that rebounds or is deflected to him off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent having been in an offside position
(ii) that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him from a deliberate save by an opponent having been in an offside position.
A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent, who deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save), is not considered to have gained an advantage. 

Brief reports were also provided on Additional Assistant Referees, and the decision approved last year related to Law 4 (The Players’ Equipment) with regards to the headscarf – to allow a trial, non-mandatory period – the IFAB reiterated that a final decision will be made at next year’s Annual General Meeting. Finally, a proposal to review Law 8 (The Start and Restart of Play “Dropped Ball”) was postponed for further consultation, with a new proposal to be presented at the 2014 Annual General Meeting. An agreement was also made to form a working group to review the full Laws of the Game to improve clarity where appropriate.
The IFAB also received an update on the goal-line technology (GLT) project, since the historic decision to approve its introduction at the IFAB Special Meeting on 5 July 2012. The meeting agreed that the decision whether to allow replays of goal-line incidents for broadcast purposes and/or on stadium giant screens is to be made independently by individual competition organisers. Also on the subject of GLT, the IFAB agreed each competition organiser should have the autonomy to decide whether they wish to use GLT in individual matches, or all matches of a tournament. Amongst the items for discussion was the usage of electronic performance monitoring systems. The Board agreed to form a consultation group, comprised of medics, coaches, former players and IFAB Technical Sub-Committee members to review this matter further.
Amendments to the Laws of the Game taken by the IFAB come into effect on 1 July 2013.

Source: FIFA/IFAB

IFAB: Clarifications of Laws 8 and 11

The 127th Annual General Meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) will take place on Saturday, 2 March 2013, under the chairmanship of The Scottish FA in Edinburgh, Scotland. Amongst the items on the agenda, the IFAB will discuss a clarification to the interpretation of Law 11 – Offside, following proposals developed by FIFA’s Refereeing department and the IFAB technical sub-committee. The technical sub-committee is comprised of the respective Heads of Refereeing and/or technical experts of FIFA and the four British Associations. Other topics for discussion include the usage of electronic performance monitoring systems; the Dropped Ball (Law 8 – Start and Restart of Play) following a submission by the Danish FA; as well as an update report on Goal-Line Technology following the implementation of two systems at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December 2012. The IFAB will also discuss its future consultation and decision-making processes, as well as its future structure.

The main proposals and amendments on the agenda:

Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play
Infringements and sanctions
If the ball enters the goal:
• if a dropped ball is kicked directly (not touched by another player) into the opponents’ goal, a goal kick is awarded
• if a dropped ball is kicked directly (not touched by another player) into the teams’ own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team"

Law 11 – Offside – Interpretation of the Laws of the Game

In the context of Law 11 – Offside, the following definitions apply:

- "interfering with play" means playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a team-mate

- "interfering with an opponent" means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball.

- "gaining an advantage by being in that position" means playing a ball

(i) that rebounds or is deflected to him off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent having been in an offside position

(ii) that rebounds, is deflected or is played to him from a deliberate save by an opponent having been in an offside position.

A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent, who deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save), is not considered to have gained an advantage.

Source: FIFA/IFAB

IFAB approved both GLT and AAR

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) convened on 5 July 2012 at the Home of FIFA in Zurich for a Special Meeting regarding the goal-line technology, additional assistant referees and headscarves.

The first item on the agenda was goal-line technology (GLT). Following the conclusion of a nine-month test process that began in August 2011, led by EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology), the IFAB unanimously decided to approve in principle both companies that took part in Test Phase 2: GoalRef and Hawk-Eye. This approval is subject to a final installation test at each stadium before the systems can be used in “real” football matches, in accordance with the FIFA Quality Programme for GLT. The IFAB was keen to stress that technology will only be utilised for the goal line and for no other areas of the game. Revisions to the wording of specific Laws of the Game will now consequently be made, relating to: Law 1 (The Field of Play); Law 2 (The Ball); Law 5 (The Referee); and Law 10 (The Method of Scoring).
The second decision of the IFAB concerned additional assistant referees (AAR) following a two-year experiment in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and EURO 2012, as well as the AFC President’s Cup and competitions in Brazil, France, Morocco and Qatar. Following a presentation by the AAR Experiment Coordinator, Donald McVicar, the IFAB again unanimously agreed that the use of two additional assistant referees be approved, acknowledging the support they can provide in officiating football matches. As a result of this decision, an amendment will be made to the Laws of the Game, with a separate section concerning additional assistant referees. It was also approved that communication equipment be permitted between match officials in the Laws of the Game.
The third main topic for discussion concerned Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment, and specifically the “headscarf”. The IFAB agreed to unanimously approve – temporarily, during a trial period – the wearing of headscarves. The design, colour and material permitted will be defined and confirmed following the IFAB Annual Business Meeting in Glasgow in October. Currently there is no medical literature concerning injuries as a result of wearing a headscarf, and therefore the decision taken today will be reviewed at the IFAB Annual General Meeting in 2014.
In other matters, the IFAB confirmed that the Annual Business Meeting will further discuss the issue of “triple punishment”, currently detailed in Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct; Sending-off Offences), and also agreed to discuss further how the IFAB can improve consultation with the game.
The decisions concerning the Laws of the Game taken today regarding GLT and AAR by the IFAB will come into effect immediately.

Source: FIFA