Throw-ins could be kicked out in Wenger law trials

Trials of Arsene Wenger’s proposal for throw-ins to be replaced by kickins are to go ahead.

In a raft of approvals at its annual meeting in Doha yesterday, the International Football Association Board also confirmed plans to test the reduction of matches from 90 to 60 minutes – with the clock running only while the ball is in play.

Other trials planned include body cameras worn by referees in adult grass-roots football, of certain refereeing decisions being explained during a game, and of a low-tech video-review system for competitions unable to afford video assistant referees.

Wenger, Fifa’s head of global development, first proposed throwins be replaced by kick-ins almost two years ago.

Unofficial testing was carried out last year by the Dutch Football Association, whose proposals for formal trials to take place was approved by Ifab.

It is unclear whether all throw-ins are to be replaced or, as suggested by Wenger, only those in the defensive half.

Gianni Infantino, the Fifa president, said: “We may be a bit sceptical on some of these measures but Ifab is open to look into any proposal that is made.”

Speaking in November, Wenger said: “There are two big time wasters at the moment, that is throw-ins and free-kicks, and a little bit goalkicks when you play out now in the box.

“It is important we make the game quicker. The younger generations are less patient and we see it with their habits of 12 to 18 years of age. They don’t go anymore and put on the television and watch 90 minutes of football. It’s all on the phone. So we might have to adapt.”

Tests are also being made into introducing the concept of daylight between players into the offside law.

Ifab’s AGM ratified the permanent adoption of five substitutes into the laws of the game.

Members also decided to increase the maximum number of named substitutes listed on a team sheet from 12 to 15 at the discretion of the competition organiser.

The meeting included an update on semi-automated offside technology that will enable offside to be detected in seconds. Fifa is confident it will be ready in time for the World Cup.