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I remember a wily old coach in England (with the greatest respect to the man) saying words to the effect that (paraphrasing) football is a simple game – let’s keep it simple.
Those words were spoken by the late West Ham United and England manager Ron Greenwood, who was described as a great football visionary and thinker.
Since then, we have “wing backs”, “holding midfielders”, 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 and many more formations and permutations, making it difficult to understand what the hell soccer aficionados and commentators are talking about.
Coaches on the touchline make all kinds of signs and gesticulations that make them look like a jack-in-the-box, leading one to wonder if they are right in the head or in need of a shrink.
Likewise, refereeing used to be a simple affair, but the laws of the game are becoming more complicated and confusing.
Last week, I wrote about the offside law, which was probably the easiest and most simple of laws to understand. Fast forward to today. Being in an offside position is not an offence, but the many interpretations around this simple law have made it one of the most contentious.
If you think that is bad, wait until you see what’s coming down the line.
Fifa recently had its big “think-in” and approved several changes following recommendations by the International Football Association Board.
Among these are the following:
Penalty Kick (law 14)
Heretofore, a penalty kick was a straightforward exercise.
Picture the scene.
A penalty is awarded, contentiously or otherwise – you’ll never get everyone to agree whether it was or was not. Be that as it may, it’s awarded.
Only the kicker and the defending goalkeeper are allowed inside the penalty area. All other players (forwards and defenders) must remain outside the box and outside the “D” on the box’s edge.
None of these players is allowed to enter the area until the ball has been kicked.
Defenders will defend, as is their right, and attackers will try to benefit from any rebound that might occur off the keeper, cross bar or upright.
Right. Got that?
How many times have you seen all players observing that rule? How many times have you seen referees enforcing that rule?
How many times have penalty kicks been taken and scored or missed with the penalty area looking like a bus station on a busy morning even before the kick is taken?
I can only imagine your answer to those questions.
All this is changing from next season – actually, from June 1 – except for countries where the leagues are up and running before that date.
The new procedure will be as follows:
“Goalposts, crossbar and nets must not be moving when a penalty kick is taken and the goalkeeper must not be touching them.
“Goalkeepers must have at least part of one foot on, or in line with, the goal line when a penalty kick is taken; they cannot stand behind the line.
“If an offence occurs after the referee signals for a penalty kick to be taken but the kick is not taken, it must then be taken after any YC/RC (yellow or red card) is issued.”
There was additional text included with regard to procedure and clarification:
. The ball must be stationary on the penalty mark;
. The defending goalkeeper must remain on the goal line facing the kicker between the goalposts without touching the goal posts, crossbar, or nets until the kick has been taken;
. The player taking the penalty kick must kick the ball forward; back heeling is permitted provided the ball moves forward; and
. When the ball is kicked, the defending goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot touching, or in line with, the goal line.
All of this is, of course, during 90 minutes and extra time.
I will put down more new changes in next week’s column. Please feel free to make comments or ask me any questions.
Happy whistling!
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