“`html
The prevalence of long throws has been a notable trend in this Premier League season, with Brentford and their defender Michael Kayode employing the tactic to considerable effect.
The International Football Association Board (Ifab), the body responsible for the laws of the game, has engaged in discussions regarding the implementation of a countdown timer for throw-ins and goal-kicks to mitigate time-wasting.
During a meeting of the Ifab’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels (FAP-TAP) held on Tuesday, a consensus was reached to advance a proposal that would permit Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviews in instances where a player has been dismissed following a second yellow card.
Conversely, the introduction of potential VAR reviews for incorrectly awarded corner kicks leading to a goal was rejected.
The increasing frequency of long throws in the Premier League has contributed to protracted delays, as teams necessitate time to strategically position themselves for what essentially become set-piece situations, deviating from the concept of a swift restart.
Goalkeepers are also observed to be taking increasing amounts of time over goal-kicks, particularly towards the latter stages of matches, as a means of time management.
This aligns with a recent law amendment introduced by Ifab for goalkeepers this year, imposing an eight-second limit on retaining possession of the ball in open play before it must be released.
Upon commencement of the countdown, the referee signals the final five seconds, and failure by the goalkeeper to release the ball results in the awarding of a corner kick.
On Saturday, Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was penalised, conceding a corner against Liverpool deep into stoppage time, after holding the ball for 13 seconds.
While the countdown mechanism remains a subject of ongoing deliberation, FAP-TAP has endorsed a modification to the VAR protocol, allowing for potential recourse in situations where a second yellow card has been incorrectly issued.
A comprehensive review of all potential second yellow cards is deemed impractical due to the sheer volume of incidents and potential for disruption.
Over the preceding two Premier League seasons, the Key Match Incident (KMI) Panel has determined that 17 players were incorrectly dismissed following two bookable offenses.
The proposal is now slated for further consideration at the Ifab’s annual business meeting on 20 January, with ratification anticipated at the annual general meeting in Cardiff on 28 February.
The implementation of this change is projected for the subsequent season.
The Ifab has been evaluating various potential adjustments to the VAR protocol, following a thorough assessment conducted since its integration into the laws of the game in 2018.
However, in July, Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the Football Association (FA) – which, alongside the other three British associations and Fifa, holds a seat on the Ifab – conveyed to BBC Sport that there is no perceived “need” to broaden the application of the VAR system.
The FAP-TAP also addressed the ongoing limited trial of a revised offside rule, stipulating that a player would be deemed onside if any part of their body is aligned with the second-to-last defending player.
The discussion largely revolved around the objectives underlying the proposed rule change and whether the impetus stemmed from contentious marginal offside calls in VAR-assisted competitions or a desire to promote a more attacking style of play.
Championed by Arsene Wenger, Fifa’s head of global football development, the concept was initially introduced in 2020; however, apprehensions regarding its potential tactical ramifications have prevented its progression to full-scale trials.
The FAP-TAP, which convenes annually in October to deliberate on prospective law modifications, comprises prominent former referees, coaches, and players, including Wenger, Luis Figo, and Pierluigi Collina.
Follow your club with BBC Sport
Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
Get football news sent straight to your phone
Comments can not be loaded
To load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browser
“`