VAR to review second yellows and corners as timewasting clamped down on
#VAR #IFAB #Timewasting #Second Yellow Card #Corner Kick #Referee #Football Laws #World Cup #FIFA #Goalkeeper #Substitutions #Player Protest
📌 Key Takeaways
- VAR powers extended to check corners and second yellow cards.
- Referees can start a five-second countdown for slow throw-ins/goal kicks.
- Substitutions must be completed within 10 seconds, or the player must remain off for at least one minute.
- Minimum one-minute delay for players with injury stoppages (trialled previously).
- Changes effective from July 1st and implemented at the World Cup (June 11th).
- VAR checks on corners will be optional, only used to spot obvious errors; second yellow card checks will be limited to those not shown on the field.
- IFAB will consult on player protests/unsportsmanlike conduct.
📖 Full Retelling
Football's lawmakers, the IFAB, are extending the use of VAR to review second yellow cards and corner kicks, effective this summer, in response to concerns about timewasting in matches. These changes include allowing VAR checks for potential second yellow cards and corners, as well as empowering referees with a five-second countdown for slow throw-ins and goal kicks and mandating quicker substitution times. The aim is to maintain the game's tempo, reduce added time due to stoppages, and improve player welfare. These measures will be implemented starting July 1st and will be in effect for the upcoming World Cup, commencing June 11th. The IFAB also plans trials to address goalkeeper delays and investigate player protests and unsportsmanlike conduct.
🏷️ Themes
VAR in football, Timewasting, Rules of Football, Player Welfare, Refereeing, IFAB Regulations
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Original Source
IFAB: VAR powers extended to include second yellow cards and corner checks as timewasting clamped down on Football's lawmakers have extended VAR's powers to check corners and second yellow cards; IFAB also approves measures to counter timewasting, coming into effect this summer; refs can start a five-second countdown if players take too long over throws and set-pieces Saturday 28 February 2026 13:49, UK VAR's powers have been extended by football's lawmakers. Using VAR to check corners will be an option for competitions from this summer, while the core VAR protocol has now been widened to cover second yellow cards. The International Football Association Board , which sets the laws of football, also approved a package of measures to counter tactics designed to disrupt the tempo of matches, which come into effect this summer. Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone 📱 No Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺 The successful introduction of the eight-second rule for goalkeepers has encouraged IFAB to go further on efforts to stop players slowing the game. Referees will be given the power to start a five-second countdown if they feel players are taking too long over throw-ins and dead-ball goal kicks, and substitutions must be completed in no more than 10 seconds, otherwise the substitute must stay off for at least one minute. The IFAB also decided at its annual general meeting in Wales on Saturday to enforce a period of at least one minute off the field for any player whose injury forces a stoppage in play. The Premier League has been trialling a 30-second period, but some within the IFAB did not feel this was long enough to serve as a deterrent. Other competitions had tested longer periods, with two minutes trialled at last year's Arab Cup. Also See: Got Sky? Watch now on the Sky Sports app Not got Sky? Get instant access with no contract Live Premier League table Watch FREE Premier League highlights Follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp Follo...
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