FIFA Suggests One-Minute Off-Field Rule for Players who are Hurt.
In an attempt to cut down on time wastage and enhance match flow, FIFA has proposed a new rule requiring players who receive medical treatment on the field to stay off the field for at least one minute.
The proposal is anticipated to be discussed at the International Football Association Board’s annual general meeting, which is the body in charge of the Laws of the Game, according to BBC Sport on Monday. The proposal would be added to the international football regulations if it were accepted.
The Laws of the Game do not currently stipulate how long injured players must remain off the field following treatment. Domestic contests are permitted to follow their own rules.
“For example, the Premier League instituted a 30-second off-field rule at the beginning of the 2023–2024 campaign.
“A more stringent two-minute rule was previously tested by FIFA during the December Arab Cup. However, there was a lot of opposition to the idea because some felt that teams might be unfairly disadvantaged by a two-minute absence, according to the BBC.
Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s referees chief, stated that the trial was intended to deter players from inflating their injuries and interfering with the tempo of games.
Major League Soccer already has a similar system in place, requiring players to leave the field for a short while if they stay on the ground for longer than 15 seconds and medical assistance is called.
Although disagreements persisted regarding the precise length of time, IFAB members decided in January that a set time frame should be incorporated into the laws.
The suggested one-minute rule is viewed as a middle ground between enhancing game speed and preserving fairness.
