FIFA is contemplating some controversial changes to the current football system – and the fans are not happy.
Mundo Deportivo says the world football governing body is looking for ways to improve the game and is trialling a series of different rules in the ‘Future of Football Cup’ youth tournament.
Under 19 sides from PSV, AZ Alkmaar, RB Leipzig and Club Brugge are all participating in the experiment, which features five key regulation changes.
Firstly, games will be made of two 30 minute halves in lieu to standard 90 minutes in a men’s adult football. It is believed this idea was borrowed from basketball and futsal.
The referee will stop his watch whenever the ball rolls out of play in an attempt to crack down on cynic time-wasting and there will be kick-ins, instead of throw-ins.
Usually, teams are allowed to make three subs – that has of course been extended to five in recent times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the event these plans go ahead, unlimited substitutions will be permitted across the board.
And then finally, yellow cards will result in a sin bin similar to what is seen in rugby. The offending player would be temporarily suspended for a five-minute period and forced to watch from the sidelines before returning to play.
Here are some of the fan reactions:
(Image Credit: Nigel Msipa on Unsplash)