Substitution rule change could lead to security risk, says Hackett
The Premier League was last night urged to consider security arrangements around substitutions, as new rules forcing players to leave at the nearest touchline come into force.
Keith Hackett, the former Fifa referee who led the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd between 2004 and 2010, says clubs may see an increased risk of confrontations between players and supporters under the new clampdown on timewasting.
The new law forcing players to leave the pitch at the nearest line rather than walking back towards the technical area is among a host of new additions in the International Football Association Board (Ifab) rules for next season. Other changes include a new rule on goal-kicks, which ensures the ball is in play as soon as the goalkeeper kicks it.
Hackett told The Daily Telegraph that the reform on substitute arrangements would be a mixed blessing. “As far as the subs are concerned, leaving the field rather than coming to the halfway line will help to speed up the game and stop the nonsense of time-wasting,” he said.
“However, it does potentially create problems if the player has been involved in controversy. He then has to walk half the pitch, potentially creating security problems if a player has been volatile and is on a yellow card. I think it’s important the Premier League ensures it is aware and equipped for the potential risks around this.”
The goal-kick change will mean defending teams can no longer rush inside their box to receive the ball in an attempt to force a retake.
“The ball is in play once the kick is taken,” says the new Ifab rule. “The experiment that at a goal-kick the ball is in play once it is kicked, and does not have to leave the penalty area, has created a faster and more dynamic/constructive restart.”
As expected, Ifab is introducing what was described as the biggest change to the handball law for 80 years, ruling that accidental handballs can be penalised in certain circumstances.
Other changes include new protection for referees after the introduction of video assistant refereeing. Managers will be warned that they will be sent off if they enter the video operation room and will also be booked or sent off if any unidentified members of their backroom staff misbehave.
There are also clearer rules on play being stopped when the ball hits the referee. The dropped-ball will be abandoned altogether, with the ball generally returned instead to the last team in possession.
Ifab said referees can allow players to leave the field at the halfway line or another designated point for safety or injury reasons.
Explaining its new law, Ifab said: “The player must go immediately to the technical area or dressing room to avoid problems with substitutes, spectators, or match officials. A player who infringes the spirit of this law should be sanctioned for unsporting behaviour.”