Evaluating Upcoming Rule Modifications Before World Cup: Is Increased VAR Beneficial?

The International Football Association Board, responsible for establishing the laws of football, has approved significant modifications set to take effect on July 1, which will also be implemented during the upcoming 2026 World Cup, commencing June 11.

Utilizing VAR to review corner kicks will be an option, and the fundamental VAR protocol has been expanded to include second yellow cards and cards issued to the incorrect team. Additionally, the IFAB has sanctioned a series of measures aimed at countering tactics that disrupt the flow of matches, although the physical issues observed this season regarding corners were not considered severe enough for intervention.

But will these new regulations enhance or complicate the game? We examine the implications.

Andy Davies (@andydaviesref), a former Select Group referee with over 12 seasons on the elite list, has officiated in both the Premier League and Championship. With extensive experience at the highest level, he has worked within the VAR framework in the Premier League and provides valuable insights into the processes, reasoning, and protocols enacted on a Premier League matchday.

A five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks

Rule: If the referee determines that a throw-in or goal kick is taking too long or is being intentionally delayed, a five-second visual countdown will commence. If the ball is not in play when the countdown concludes, the throw-in will be awarded to the opposing team, while a delayed goal kick will result in a corner kick for the opponents.

Verdict: Good

The introduction of an eight-second rule for goalkeepers holding the ball last year has positively influenced the game, shifting responsibility back to the players. This is a constructive advancement that will be applicable throughout the field.

In recent seasons, the time allocated for goalkeepers to prepare for a goal kick has drawn negative attention from fans and clubs alike. Data indicates that the duration of a complete goal kick—from the goalkeeper retrieving the ball, placing it down, to releasing it—can extend up to a minute, which is excessive.

As a referee, the primary effective tool to manage these situations is issuing a yellow card after a series of warnings for time-wasting. However, officials are often hesitant to resort to this option early in a match, particularly for a technical infraction.

This new regulation will enable referees to regain authority and place the onus back on players to expedite the process. The possibility of the opposing team gaining possession from a reversed throw-in or a corner kick is a significant deterrent against intentional delays.

Ten-second time limit for substituted players to leave the pitch

Rule: To enhance match flow, substituted players must exit the field within 10 seconds of the substitution board being shown or, in the absence of a board, upon the referee’s signal. If the player does not leave within this timeframe, they must still depart the field, but the substitute will not be allowed to enter until the first stoppage after one minute (running clock) has passed following the restart.

Verdict: Good

This is another beneficial adjustment that will ease the pressure often placed on referees when a player takes an excessive amount of time to leave the pitch after being substituted. Players should be cautioned for lingering on the field, although this rarely occurs. Now, there are explicit guidelines regarding the time allowed, and it will be the players’ responsibility to comply.

Operationally, I do not anticipate the 10-second limit being enforced rigidly. As long as a player is moving toward the nearest side of the pitch once the board is displayed, referees are unlikely to time them. However, if a player is meandering around the pitch, stopping to adjust their shinpads, high-fiving teammates, and acknowledging the crowd, the referee will have the authority to address such behavior that frustrates everyone involved.

Challenges related to multiple substitutions will present additional difficulties for the officiating team. Nevertheless, I expect officials to adopt a reasonable approach in these scenarios. As long as players and clubs are not overtly attempting to prolong their exit from the pitch, it is unlikely that many players will face penalties requiring them to wait an additional minute.

An injured player has to be off the field for a minute

Rule: If a player receives on-field assessment for an injury, or if their injury causes play to be halted, they will be required to leave the field and remain off for one minute (running clock) once play resumes.

Verdict: Bad

Increasing the current 30 seconds in the Premier League to a minute is an unexpected and unnecessary modification. Sixty seconds is a significant duration in football, and matches can be decided within that time frame.

This change may also, in my view, be counterproductive in efforts to minimize instances of players feigning injury to waste time. The 30-second rule has been highly effective in the Premier League, resulting in over 70% fewer stoppages for player treatment in the two seasons since its implementation.

The new one-minute requirement has raised concerns among clubs and poses a challenge for referees, particularly due to a loophole concerning goalkeepers. When a goalkeeper is injured, they will still be exempt from this rule, allowing teams to exploit this by having their goalkeepers go down at the earliest opportunity, effectively minimizing the impact of the 60 seconds, leaving referees with no recourse.

But an injured player doesn’t have to leave the field if their opponent receives a card

Rule: Players who are injured and receive treatment on the pitch following a foul that results in the offender receiving a yellow or red card will not be required to leave the field.

Verdict: Good

This is a change that I and other referees have long supported. Currently, players must exit the pitch for 30 seconds regardless of the circumstances, which has always seemed unjust if the foul warranted a sanction.

This adjustment introduces a degree of common sense into the rules.

More power for VAR

Rule: Where there is clear evidence, the VAR will now be allowed to assist the referee regarding:

– Red cards resulting from a clearly incorrect second yellow card;
– Mistaken identity, when the referee penalizes the wrong team for an offense leading to a red or yellow card being issued to the incorrect player.

Verdict: Good

This change has been long overdue in the VAR framework and represents a sensible evolution given the implications of sending a player off. Allowing the VAR to rectify an incorrectly issued second yellow card and keep a player on the field is a logical step.

It is crucial to emphasize the specifics: The VAR can only intervene when a second yellow card has been clearly misapplied by the referee and will not recommend a second yellow in subjective situations.

Of course, that latter aspect of this new regulation is reasonable. When a referee has penalized the wrong team for an offense and the VAR possesses clear video evidence, an on-field review will be suggested.

Such instances are infrequent, but they can significantly alter the outcome when they do arise. In Nottingham Forest’s 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth on December 23, 2023, referee Rob Jones issued a second yellow card to Forest defender Willy Boly for a late, reckless challenge early in the first half with the score at 0-0. However, replays clearly indicated that the tackle was perfectly executed; he won the ball, made minimal or no contact with his opponent, and did not meet the criteria for a foul, let alone a yellow card.

More recently in Italy’s Serie A, Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu was dismissed for a second yellow card when the referee believed he had fouled Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni. However, video evidence demonstrated that no foul had occurred.

The VAR currently lacks the ability to intervene in these scenarios, making this a positive advancement that will likely be welcomed by clubs and fans alike.

Even more power for VAR

Rule: Where there is clear evidence, the VAR will now be permitted to assist the referee regarding:

– A clearly incorrectly awarded corner kick, provided that the review can be completed immediately and without delaying the restart.

Verdict: Bad

From a fan’s perspective, this feels like an intrusion into the game. The process of reviewing any situation through VAR, as we know, introduces a natural time delay, and this appears to be an overextension of technology. While there have been a few high-profile cases that have significantly impacted outcomes—such as Nottingham Forest facing two contentious decisions this season—this has generally not been a major issue in the Premier League.

However, from a refereeing standpoint, if my team or I have made a clear mistake in awarding a corner kick that could lead to a decisive goal, I would want the chance to rectify that decision, given the high stakes involved.

The IFAB has granted individual football authorities and leagues the option to opt out of this change, and I anticipate that the Premier League and FA will choose to do so at this time. Nevertheless, it may only take one pivotal moment for opinions on this to shift.

With this change being implemented at the World Cup this year, it will be intriguing to observe its reception on the global stage.