IFAB reviews potential changes to red card rules and other football laws.
Football’s lawmaking body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), is reviewing proposals that could expand the situations where players receive red cards for denying goalscoring opportunities.
Currently, defenders are sent off only for fouls that stop an “obvious goalscoring opportunity” (Dogso) when the attacker is through on goal. The proposed changes would also include cases where a player could have passed to a teammate in a clear scoring position, such as during a fast counter-attack.
IFAB is also considering removing yellow cards if a Dogso foul occurs but the attacking team scores after advantage is played.
Other topics on the agenda include tweaks to video assistant referees (VAR), goalkeeper tactical timeouts, and measures to reduce time-wasting.
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The board, which includes representatives from FIFA and the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, requires six votes for proposed law changes to pass. Approved changes would take effect from 1 July, though some competitions could implement them earlier.
Ex-Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger’s proposed “daylight” offside rule, aimed at simplifying offside decisions, is expected to be rejected in favor of options seen as fairer to defenders.
The IFAB meeting could mark the first step toward significant rule adjustments for domestic leagues and international competitions next season.
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