IFAB approves revolutionary changes to the rules of the game: Greater role for the VAR system

During its latest meeting, the International Football Association Board IFAB made decisions that could fundamentally change the dynamics of professional matches. The most significant innovation is the expansion of the VAR protocol. From 2026, video match officials will be able to intervene in contentious situations regarding the awarding of a corner kick if a goal is scored directly from it, and also to verify the justification for awarding a second yellow card, which results in a player's dismissal. Regulations aimed at eliminating deliberate time-wasting by players during restarts were also approved. The new guidelines instruct referees to be more rigorous in adding stoppage time and to immediately penalize goalkeepers who hold the ball for longer than the permitted six seconds. Industry media are paying particular attention to the so-called „Vinicius Law”, which is intended to precisely regulate issues of racism and abuse of players, giving referees a clear pathway to interrupt matches in case of escalating abuse from the stands or on the pitch. Additionally, a rule will be introduced whereby only the team captain will be authorized to discuss matters with the referee, which is intended to curb the phenomenon of referees being mobbed by groups of players. Modern football laws are evolving at the fastest pace since 1992, when goalkeepers were banned from handling the ball after a deliberate pass from a teammate, with the aim of radically speeding up the game.Parallel to the legislative changes, events in the English Premier League are generating excitement. Liverpool, under Arne Slot, achieved a spectacular 5-2 victory over West Ham United, demonstrating remarkable effectiveness from set-pieces. Analysts emphasize that the new playing philosophy of „The Reds” places much greater emphasis on corners and free kicks than under the previous manager. In the shadow of these events, Sunderland managed to break their losing streak, defeating their rivals thanks to a key performance from Granit Xhaka. Experts predict that the announced IFAB reforms, although set to come into force at the World Cup, may be trialed in selected domestic leagues even before the main tournament, so that referees and coaching staff can adapt to the new realities. The VAR system was officially introduced into the laws of the game in 2018 during the World Cup in Russia, becoming the biggest technological change in football history since the introduction of goal-line technology.„It was a nearly perfect performance in terms of executing our tactical plans, especially with the corners.” — Arne Slot