London was the place chosen by the International Football Association Board, IFAB, to hold the last meeting of 2024, thinking about the modifications that will be applied to football in the new season that begins.
During the session, chaired by Patrick Nelson, chief executive of the Irish Football Federation, significant progress was highlighted in several areas to improve the management and development of football worldwide and to record it in the program of the next meeting to be held in March 2025 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to give it force of law in July 2025.
The video review system (FVS) was designed as an accessible alternative to VAR, as it does not have the assistance of a VAR referee and gives coaches the authority to request an on-field review. At the meeting, the IFAB considered that the FVS continues to develop, with the aim of offering an economical solution for leagues with limited budgets.
This new testing phase focuses on democratizing access to technology, allowing more competitions, from regional leagues to minor tournaments, to implement fairer, more reliable arbitration systems without large investments. The FVS seeks to guarantee precision in the referee’s decision making, promoting equity in sport.
In this way, a tournament in a regional league could implement the FVS system at a reduced cost, allowing key play disputes to be resolved using accessible technology.
Tests carried out in 2024 and aimed at optimizing playing time and encouraging respectful behavior among players continue to advance. Two of the most notable initiatives in this regard were new protocols on the time control in possession of the archers and the exclusive access area for captains.
As for the first, Stricter rules are being evaluated to prevent misuse of time by goalkeepersensuring that the fluidity of the game is maintained. Aim to not allow him to delay throwing the ball into play when he has it in full possession. The penalty applied would be a corner kick or a throw-in (in line with the penalty spot).
The referee will start an eight-second count when the goalkeeper clearly controls the ball with his hands. You will then raise your hand to show the countdown from five to zero seconds (similar to the four-second countdown used in beach soccer and indoor soccer).
The corner or lateral kick resulting from the infringement will be taken from the touchline or corner area closest to the position occupied by the goalkeeper at the time of receiving the sanction. Furthermore, the goalkeeper who commits the offense for the first time will be warned and in the event of a repeat offense, he will be reprimanded.
Regarding the exclusive access area for captains, which was tested with mixed results in Argentine socceraims to protect the integrity of the referees, limiting access to a specific area during matches, promoting orderly and respectful communication between the players and the judge.
In a professional match, the captain of a team uses the delimited area to talk to the referee after a controversial decision. This measure seeks to reduce pressure on the referee and prevents players from crowding togetherfacilitating better game management and promoting respect.
Looking ahead to 2025, we will seek to adjust these two initiatives and give more rigor to the application. Both proposals arise from consultations with technical panels and football experts, and aim to improve dynamics and respect in the sport.
Several technological innovations that could transform the football experience were also discussed during the meeting:
-Live announcements about VAR decisions: After lengthy reviews, live announcements will be introduced to give viewers a better understanding of refereeing decisions, improving transparency.
-Semi-automated offside technology: Advanced technology is being developed to improve the precision and speed of offside decisions, guaranteeing more efficient and transparent refereeing in the message.
-Body cameras for referees: This proposal would allow referees to record their perspectives in key situations, providing valuable material for subsequent analysis and improving on-field decision making.
FIFA presented important progress in the campaign “Suspect and protect”designed to increase awareness about concussions and their prevention. Giving full decision-making to professionals and collaborators trained for these purposes, regarding the player in question.
Within the framework of the “Suspect and Protect” campaign, coaches and parents of youth teams will be trained in identifying concussion symptoms and how to act quickly in case of injuries. This action contributes to protecting the health and safety of young footballers, prioritizing their physical well-being.
The points discussed at this meeting will form part of the agenda for the IFAB and FIFA Annual General Assembly, which will be held on March 1, 2025 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
