Football: New explosive rules: More power for video referees

What rule changes are planned for the video referee?

The most important innovation: In the future, every corner kick will be checked for accuracy. This is what it says in the draft rules on the Ifab agenda. This is to prevent an incorrectly awarded corner from leading to a goal being scored. It is important that the decision is made in real time, so there are no painfully long check times like with other video checks.

In the future, yellow cards will also be checked and possibly corrected, which as a second warning lead to a yellow-red card and thus an exclusion from the game. There is no review for first yellow cards or missed yellow cards that would have resulted in a yellow-red card, unless it can be proven that the wrong player or the wrong team was punished.

What else is on the agenda at Ifab?

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is a member of the Ifab, also called for the game to be faster and more attractive. Time play is the enemy of modern football. The so-called eight-second rule for goalkeepers when teeing off will also apply to goal kicks and throw-ins in the future; the referee shows the countdown with his fingers. In the event of a violation, there is a corner kick or throw-in for the other team.

In the future, only ten seconds remain for substitutions. Players treated on the field will then have to wait a period of time to be determined before returning to the field. It still needs to be clarified whether this also affects the goalkeeper or whether a teammate can serve the new timeout.

What do experts say about the plans?

UEFA head of referees Roberto Rosetti remains convinced: The video referee is a good invention. “We must not forget why VAR was introduced. It was created to correct mistakes. The technology is great for objective decisions, such as offsides, but when it comes to subjective decisions we have to be careful because if we check tiny details we slow down the game,” he said recently in Brussels. More speed, more justice. The plans are welcomed with this maxim.

At least there are no critical voices about the plans from the Bundesliga yet. Union Berlin coach Steffen Baumgart still finds the VAR positive despite all the problems. “If it is used well, it brings clarity and brings justice in one situation or another,” said Baumgart. His wish for a challenge opportunity for coaches, as in other sports, is still not taken into account by the football regulators.

The rules are definitely coming and when do they apply?

A rejection would be a surprise. As a rule, Ifab members follow the suggestions on the agenda. They were ultimately developed during our own preparatory meetings. In 2024 there was an unexpected twist with the rejection of the blue card that was supposed to be introduced for 10-minute time penalties. At that time, Infantino vetoed it at short notice, almost overnight. The FIFA boss has a lot of influence on the decisions.

New rules will come into force on June 1st at the earliest, according to Ifab’s traditional schedule. This means that the exciting corner review can take place at the World Cup. FIFA will hardly hesitate to implement the Ifab requirements.

What does that mean for the Bundesliga?

In this season, decisions will in any case still be made according to the previous rules. The changes can take effect in the Bundesliga from next season. However, there is no obligation to take over for every competition. Theoretically, there could also be differences in the league and the DFB Cup. As a rule, the DFB and DFL agree on a line.

Why is the Ifab allowed to decide on the rules?

That has a lot to do with football tradition. The associations from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have always had a special position, as modern football in Britain was first given a set of rules in 1863. The associations still have four votes in the Ifab, FIFA as the world association has the same voting rights.

The institution is widely accepted as a rule-making body, especially since after a reform external, advisory opinions such as top coach Arsène Wenger or former star Luís Figo are also heard.