A SERIES of Law changes to be implemented for the World Cup are expected to be approved today.
The Law-making International FA Board is due to endorse “countdown clocks” for throw-ins, goal-kicks and substitutions as well as VAR checks for second yellow cards and corners.
Chiefs from the four Home Nations and Fifa will gather for the annual general meeting of the organisation outside Cardiff.
And while any agreed changes will officially come into effect worldwide from July, they will all be brought in for the World Cup kick-off in Mexico on June 11.
Ifab bosses agreed at a meeting last month that one of the game’s priorities was measures to “deal with tempo disruption and time lost”, with a specific focus on getting the ball back into play.
It will mean referees holding up their hand for a five second countdown at throw-ins and goal-kicks, although it remains unclear when the count would begin.
If players take too long, the throw-in will be reversed while a delayed goal kick would see a corner awarded instead.
Players being substituted will have just 10 seconds to leave the pitch. If they fail to beat the deadline, they will still go off but their replacement will not be allowed on until the ball next goes out of play.
And it is also expected that the Ifab board will rule that injured players who go down for treatment must leave the field for 60 seconds unless they were hurt by a foul that led to a yellow or red card. It will not apply to goalkeepers.
The VAR changes will see second yellows liable to review by the referee after an intervention from the video booth, while “clear and obvious” wrong corner awards can be overturned by off-field officials.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
However, wrongly-awarded goal kicks will not be turned into corners.
While Fifa is expected to apply the new VAR protocols for the World Cup, the Premier League and other competitions will have the right to follow or decline their lead, although the measures to combat time-wasting will be in place globally next season.
Other changes will see red cards for “Denying an Obvious Goalscoring Opportunity” widened to situations where the foul prevents a pass to a wide-open team-mate, while Ifab is expected to agree further trials of Arsene Wenger’s “daylight” offside proposal.
Meanwhile, Prem bosses are demanding answers with their pleas to be allowed to trial temporary concussion subs next season likely to be rejected.
The Prem and 30 other leagues and players’ unions wrote to Ifab asking for approval but it is understood the measure will not be added to today’s agenda, despite strong lobbying from FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.
Fifa and Ifab are expected to stick to their position that only permanent concussion substitutions should be allowed.
£569 for 5-night trip to Spanish Grand Prix
SUNSPORT readers can save £30 with our discount trip to the Spanish Grand Prix
This five-night holiday in June costs just £569pp with our exclusive extra 5% discount.
The bargain price includes return flights and 5 nights half-board at a 4-star hotel on the Costa Brava.
And a 3-day ticket to all the action at the track – plus transfers.
To claim your exclusive saving, simply pick up the phone to the Travelodeal team on 0204 505 9777 and quote the code F1SUNSPORT
Don’t miss out – this special saving is only available until February 28.
* If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue.
Don’t miss Spanish GP trip for just £569
