FIFA considering multiple rules changes to football

Players who receive treatment for injuries could be required to remain off the pitch for at least one minute under new proposals from FIFA aimed at reducing time-wasting and improving the flow of matches. 

The measure is among several changes expected to be approved at the annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Saturday. 

Currently, the Laws of the Game do not specify how long an injured player must stay off the field, leaving individual competitions to set their own guidelines.

The Premier League has enforced a 30-second rule since the start of the 2023-24 season, requiring treated players to wait before rejoining play. 

FIFA trialled a stricter two-minute rule at the Arab Cup in December, with referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina saying the move was designed to curb deliberate stoppages and maintain tempo. 

However, resistance to the longer period has led to a proposed compromise of one minute. 

Supporters of the change argue that players sometimes exaggerate injuries to disrupt momentum, and that a fixed time limit would discourage such tactics. 

Concerns remain among leagues and clubs about unintended consequences. Teams fear that extending the absence to a full minute could increase the risk of conceding goals while temporarily reduced to 10 players. 

Frustration has already surfaced under existing rules, with some supporters arguing that even 30 seconds can prove decisive during attacking set-pieces or sustained pressure.

Certain exceptions would apply under the new regulation. Players would not be required to leave the field if an opponent receives a yellow or red card for the incident, while goalkeepers would be exempt from the time restriction. 

A designated penalty taker would also be allowed to remain on the pitch. However, IFAB is not expected to address so-called “tactical timeouts,” such as when a goalkeeper goes down without contact to allow coaches to relay instructions.

Following the introduction of the eight-second rule limiting how long goalkeepers can hold the ball, similar countdowns are planned for goal-kicks and throw-ins, with possession awarded to the opposition if time is exceeded. 

Substituted players could face a 10-second limit to leave the field, or else their replacement would be prevented from entering until the next stoppage. 

IFAB is also expected to expand the scope of video assistant referee reviews to include wrongly awarded second yellow cards.