Revealed: See new football rules adopted by IFAB for 2024/25 season

Football’s lawmakers, the International FA Board (IFAB), have decided on new rules that will be added to the game.

The rules, which were approved by IFAB during its 138th Annual General Meeting (AGM), that was held at Loch Lomond, Scotland, will go through a trial period.

However, some of the new rules to be introduced will come into effect from 1 July 2024

The Premier League and the larger football community are facing more issues with player behaviour. Now, the law makers in the sport are trying to establish regulations that will increase the sport’s exclusivity by giving authorities more latitude and security.

Football’s top lawmakers were reportedly scheduled to debate enacting five new rules for the coming season in early February, but those reports have now been confirmed. So, what are they?

The next edition of “The Laws of the Game” has undergone five specific reviews, which will come into effect on July 1, 2024. However, competitions that begin before that date are allowed to apply them sooner or postpone them until the next season begins, at the latest.

Regardless of how many substitutions a team have already made, if any player is exhibiting symptoms of a concussion, they will be allowed to make further permanent substitutions in addition to their permissible number.

Also, Players’ Equipment has undergone  modifications. It will be the players’ responsibility to ensure that their shinguards are the proper size and fit. This is to ensure the player safety.

Additionally, each team needs a captain armband that will be very visible and identifiable when the captain wears it.

Handball offences that are judged to be non-deliberate and carry a penalty will be treated in the same way as fouls.

The new law requires players to make sure that a portion of the ball touches or hangs above the middle of the penalty spot before they can take a shot.

Furthermore, outfield players’ encroachment will only be punished and considered detrimental if it interferes with a player’s ability to shoot from 12 yards out.

The IFAB AGM approved two trials that are intended to help referees control player conduct. Captain-only zones, where only the skipper of each side is permitted to approach the referee, will be established to prevent the official being bombarded once they’ve made a decision.

Referees have been given the authority to stop games during what will be known as cooling-off intervals in the event of large-scale altercations. To make sure that everyone involved has “calmed down” and is prepared to continue, the man in black may order teams to report to their own penalty area.

These fresh adjustments will also help goalkeepers, as their authorised time to retain the ball has been brought up from six to eight seconds. If they keep the ball for longer than their allotted eight seconds, the other team will get possession..

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