The incredible changes that are coming in the football regulations

In the previous one, it was expected to be an assembly with important topics to be discussed. And he didn't disappoint. Because the 135th Annual Assembly of the IFAB analyzed the possibility of modifying the regulations regarding hands inside the area, as well as offside. Of course, the referee's the only one who has the power to define what's a hand and what isn't, being the only competent authority to determine it.

The highest body that regulates the rules of the game in football determined that an involuntary hand that causes a goal chance to a teammate will not be sanctioned. In other words, the referees must interpret each action. This precision must be added as of July to rule 12 of the rules of the game, modified in 2019 and the center of innumerable controversies due to penalties taken or goals disallowed by unintentional hands.

Among the other topics discussed, the game's guardians will continue to "monitor" the impact of Covid-19 on football, prompting them to authorize up to five changes per game - until the end of 2021 for club competitions, July 31, 2022 for international matches.

Finally, the IFAB has taken stock of concussions, with the introduction of an additional permanent change in case of suspicion of a blow that could damage the brain. "The trials, which must continue until August 2022, are already in national and international competitions around the world", said IFAB.