New ifab rules

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is responsible for making changes to the Laws of the Game, which govern the sport of association football (soccer). Here are some of the key changes introduced by IFAB in recent years:

2019-2020 Season:

  1. Handball Law Change: The IFAB introduced a new handball law, which states that a handball is considered deliberate if the player deliberately handles the ball with their arm or hand, even if it's not intentional.
  2. VAR (Video Assistant Referee) Expansion: VAR was introduced in the 2018 World Cup and was expanded to include more situations, such as offside decisions and penalty decisions.

2020-2021 Season:

  1. Substitutions: The IFAB introduced a new rule allowing teams to make five substitutions per match, rather than the traditional three. This rule was introduced to help reduce the risk of injury and to give teams more flexibility in managing their players.
  2. Goalkeeper Handball: The IFAB clarified the rules regarding handball for goalkeepers, stating that a goalkeeper is not considered to have deliberately handled the ball if they are trying to make a save.

2021-2022 Season:

  1. VAR Improvements: The IFAB made several improvements to the VAR system, including the introduction of a "silent" VAR review, where the referee is not interrupted during the review process.
  2. Offside Law Change: The IFAB introduced a new offside law, which states that a player is considered offside if any part of their body (including their head, arm, or leg) is closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent.

Upcoming Changes:

  1. Electronic Offside Assistant: The IFAB is planning to introduce an electronic offside assistant, which will use cameras and sensors to help referees make offside decisions.
  2. VAR Expansion: The IFAB is also planning to expand the use of VAR to include more situations, such as decisions on whether a player is guilty of simulation (diving).

These are just a few of the key changes introduced by IFAB in recent years. The organization continues to review and update the Laws of the Game to ensure that the sport is fair, safe, and enjoyable for all players.