The Dutch Football Association KNVB is proposing five drastic rule changes into the game of football which is likely to change the face of football as we know it; that is if this proposals are accepted by FIFA and UEFA.
The new rules are projected to take effect in the 2023/24 season in the 2nd division and below as an experiment. And while the rule changes are so drastic that it is almost certain they will never get the needed approval, the mere suggestion of these five adjustments could be damaging to the sport.
Myself, I’m wondering why they would want a change in the way football is being played at the moment. Is it that they think these changes are going to make the game any better or they just want their names inked in the Guinness Book of Records that they brought these news rules in the game we love?
Well, myself, I’ve gone through these rules and apart from #4, I don’t see anything these rules are adding up to our favorite sports.
Well, check out the rules below as reported by Pulse.com.gh.
No more throw-ins
If the KNVB gets their way, there will no longer be throw-ins in football, instead replaced by kick-ins which is quite frankly pointless.
When the ball goes out of play, it will be kicked back into action rather than thrown which will not only look bizarre but also be another unnecessary change which makes one wonder how that improves the game.
Freekick?…more like free dribble
If these changes are implemented, players will now be allowed to dribble from a free kick rather than being limited to kicking it either as a pass or a shot.
Free kicks, as the name implies, are meant to be kicked, by the very definition of the activity, modifying it is quite contradictory.
Unlimited substitutions
If you thought five substitutions are too much and have watered down the quality of the game, brace up…it’s about to get so much worse.
Dutch football proposes that all games should have unlimited substitutions which means teams would be able to replace all eleven starters and even some substitutes if they want.
Five minutes sin bin
This means players have to sit out for five minutes of play when an offense worthy of the punishment. Other sports like rugby already use this and it admittedly would make the game more interesting for a team to be down by one player for five minutes.
30-minute halves
The most controversial change of rules would be the shortening of each half from the iconic 45 to 30 minutes, thus reducing the game from 90 to 60 minutes.
To compensate for the lost time, a stop clock has been proposed which means the clock stops when the ball is not in play and resumes when it is.