Sweeping rule changes will come into effect next season in a bid to improve fair play in football.

Goals scored or created with the aid of a hand or arm, even if accidental, will be disallowed after football’s lawmakers approved several changes to the rules.

In other changes approved by the International FA Board (IFAB) substitutes will have to leave the pitch at the nearest goal line or touchline instead of walking to their technical area in a bid to stop time-wasting.



On the subject of substitutions, it was decided that a change was needed to speed up play.


“Additional approved law changes included: measures to deal with attacking players causing problems in the defensive ‘wall’; changing the dropped ball procedure; giving a dropped ball in certain situations when the ball hits the referee; and the goalkeeper only being required to have one foot on the line at a penalty kick.”


The law-making body also acknowledged that the introduction of video assistant referees had been a big success.

“Following the historic decision taken a year ago at the 132nd IFAB annual general meeting to approve the use of VARs, the FIFA president Gianni Infantino, in unity with fellow members of the IFAB, expressed their satisfaction with the significant impact and success VAR has had,” IFAB added.
