Free kicks: No attacking players in wall

From next season on we're going to see an interesting change to the way free kicks are taken. The IFAB has approved a rule change which prohibits attacking players - ie those from the team on attacking from the free kick - from being in the wall. Specifically, when there is a wall of three or more players attackers are not allowed within one metre of it. Any attacking player found to be less than one metre from the wall when a free kick is taken will be penalised and the other team will be rewarded with an indirect free kick.

Changes to the nature of goal kicks have altered the dynamic of restarting the game. Previously, the ball was deemed 'dead' until it left the penalty area, but a new change means that the ball is in play as soon as it is touched and it can be played inside the 18-yard box. Early confusion around this rule led the IFAB to clarify that opposition players are still not allowed in the box until the ball is played.

Substitutions: Players must leave nearest point

The rule-makers have struck a further blow against cynicism in the game by introducing a change to substitution protocol. Players who are being taken off and replaced must now leave the pitch by the nearest point on the touchline, which means we will no longer be forced to endure preposterously slow walks to the half-way line.

From 2019-20 on, the team that wins the coin toss has a choice of picking which half to attack or to take first kick-off. The thinking behind this rule is that many players will opt to take kick-off, since a goal can be scored directly from one.

Yellow & red cards for coaches

In order to clamp down on difficult behaviour from coaches who don't see eye to eye with the referee or their opposite number, officials will be able to show them yellow or red cards, in the same way they do with players. If, in the event of a touchline melee for example, the offending individual cannot be identified for punishment, the senior coach who is in the technical area will be the default recipient.

Handball: Accidental offences deemed free kicks

The IFAB has attempted to provide more clarity on the handball offence for occasions when the offence is deemed to be 'non-deliberate'. Essentially, the changes will mean that there will be no goal in cases where the ball accidentally strikes a player's hand before crossing over the line. Similarly, if a player has accidentally handled the ball and created an advantage or subsequently scores, they will be penalised with a free kick. Despite the IFAB's attempts, we reckon that this one will still cause plenty of debate and consternation.

Penalty kicks: Goalkeepers must have at least one foot on line

The issue of penalty kicks has cropped up a few times in recent years and the trend has been towards reducing the freedom of the goalkeeper. That hasn't changed with the latest update to the rules, which dictate that the shot-stopper must not be moving or touching the goalposts. The new rule changes also say that the goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot on or in line with the goal-line.

Drop ball no longer competitive

The dropped ball is no more. Well, at least not as we know it. If play is stopped inside the penalty area the ball will simply be dropped for the goalkeeper. If it is stopped outside the penalty area the ball will be dropped for a player from the team that last touched the ball. In all cases, players will have to be at least four metres (four and a half yards) away.

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Football rule changes: What are the new additions to 2020-21 season?

The rule-makers have decided upon a number of changes to the Laws of the Game - but what are they?

Football is set for some rule changes this season after the IFAB (International Football Association Board) approved a number of amendments and clarifications to the current Laws of the Game.

A slew of temporary rules were implemented in the 2019-20 Premier League season following the suspension of football for three months, but it is understood that these rules will not be extended into the following season.

It's not the first time that the rules of beautiful game have been tweaked and it probably won't be the last as administrators continue to figure out the best way forward in a world of changing technology, especially during a worldwide pandemic.

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With new changes set to come into effect across the game in the 2020-21 season, Goal takes a look at some of the main ones to look out for.

Reverting back to three substitutes
No more drinks breaks
VAR changes
What is the IFAB?

Reverting back to three substitutes

The Premier League temporarily increased the limit of making three substitutions in a match to five, which was brought in for the post-lockdown period in June to see out the remainder of the 2019-20 season.

The temporary change in the rules were implemented in to protect players' fitness following the three-month suspension of sport due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But Premier League clubs voted against the continuation of the five substitutions rule in a shareholders meeting in early August, after the International Football Association Board (IFAB) initially extended the option to allow five substitutes per team in every fixture into 2021.

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Doing so had provoked a strong response from some fans and experts, with Jamie Carragher stating: "This is nonsense! Premier League stay with 3 subs please!"

The extension to the rule has now been overruled, and clubs will return to a limit of three substitutions per match.

The maximum amount of players on the bench will also revert back to seven.

No more drinks breaks

Following the resumption of the Premier League post-coronavirus lockdown, water breaks were introduced within each half in order to help players boost their fitness – but these will not take place starting the 2020-21 season.

Water breaks were also implemented to ease the burden of the heat on the players, as the Premier League resumed in the summer months of June and July - when they'd usually conclude in May.

Hydration breaks were also intended to help players adjust with the unorthodox and rigorous remainder of the 2019-20 Premier League schedule.

VAR changes

The IFAB transferred the responsibility of VAR to FIFA in July 2020, and the way in which the refereeing assistant is used in games going forwards will change.

Firstly, there will be a heavier reliance on the Referee Review Area (RRA), which will be consulted to analyse subjective decisions in three crucial areas: goals, red cards and penalty kicks.

There will be a change regarding goalkeeper encroachment on penalty kicks. Should the goalkeeper save a penalty but have his foot over the line, then VAR will have it retaken.

If the goalkeeper is found to be off his line with the ball hitting the post, the penalty will not be retaking unless the goalkeeper has a "material impact on the kick being missed".

Similarly, there are new rules introduced related to player encroachment on penalty kicks. If any part of the player's foot is on the penalty area, then it is considered encroachment.

The flag will also be kept down for tight marginal offside offences . When a chance on goal is about to happen, the assistant referee will be advised to keep their flag down until the play has passed.

Once the chance on goal is made - be it a goal scored or an unsuccessful attempt - the assistant will then raise the flag to signify the potential offside offence, not before.

Should the goal be scored, then the VAR will review the possibility of offside (but only after the goal is scored).

What is the IFAB?

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is the self-described "guardian of the Laws of the Game."

Made up of the four British associations (the FA, SFA, FAW and IFA) and FIFA it is the only organisation that has the authority to review and change the rules governing the game of football. The four British associations have one vote each and FIFA - representing the remaining 207 national associations - has four votes.

In its mission the IFAB declares: "We listen to the football community, with the goal to improve and develop the game for players, match officials and fans while protecting and strengthening the spirit and simplicity of football."

Formed in 1886, it initially consisted of only the four British associations until FIFA requested to be included on the panel in 1913, nine years after the world governing body was established. Meetings are held annually, with each member association taking turns to host.