World Cup football: Tuukka Kotimäki tells his view on the rule changes

The rule changes have focused on eradicating time-wasting and “tactical time-outs”, which teams might use when a player is injured.

Sanoma’s football expert Tuukka Kotimäki is particularly pleased with the changes aimed at reducing time consumption.

“Definitely the most significant and important changes are those related to the flow of the game and the eradication of time playing. It’s a very good thing that concrete measures have started to be taken,” says Kotimäki.

In the World Cup, teams are given five seconds to get the ball back into play for goal kicks and sideline throws. The judges count down from five visibly. The penalty is to give the ball to the opponent if too much time passes.

“A similar rule has been in use this season, that the goalkeeper is allowed to hold the ball for eight seconds. It is clear to everyone and has worked well. It is great that the same applies to goal kicks and throw-ins.”

“I’m looking forward to how carefully and boldly the judges will start using this.”

If the player is taken to the field for maintenance, he will be put on the ice shelf for one minute while the game continues before he can get back on the field.

“In my opinion, it is already a big step towards better things. Unnecessary lying on the field will probably decrease considerably.”

The jury of the games also tries to reduce the timeouts that teams use when a player is injured.

“It has always been used, but in recent years this use of injury as time-out has exploded. However, it is not part of the spirit of futsal.”

“It’s good that something is being done, but it’s unlikely that it will completely end.”

A rule change regarding player exchanges will also come into force. A player being substituted off the field is given a ten-second time window to leave the field. If the player does not have time to leave the field within the limits allowed by the time window, the player to be replaced has to wait on the side of the field for one minute and will only be able to enter the field when the game is interrupted the next time.

“Welcome reform. It’s the same rule for everyone. And it shouldn’t be a problem to roll up in ten seconds when you have to start from the nearest sideline to change. It’s a very good thing that there are clear time limits.”

Video refereeing has been a huge topic of conversation in football since VAR (video assistance refereeing) became a part of making big decisions.

At the World Cup, there may be enough to talk about the topic again, as VAR has gained even more responsibility in the summer.

VAR can therefore check the second yellow card given, correct the punishment of the wrong player and check the clearly wrongly awarded corner kick.

“I think it is justified that the second yellow card can be intervened if necessary, because they are such huge decisions. If even a few extrajudicial killings can be removed with it, then it is a reform that drives the issue.”

“The review of corner kicks is already over the top for me. It already raises questions about where the line is. Referees are human and can make mistakes.”

Referee can in the future also give a red card to a player who covers his mouth when confronting an opponent.

In addition, the referee can send off a player who leaves the field to protest the referee’s decision. The same punishment also threatens team officials who encourage players to leave the field.