Rule changes that will affect Liverpool and all Premier League clubs

Rule changes that will affect Liverpool and all Premier League clubs next season

The 2018/19 Premier League campaign finished with Liverpool ending second behind Manchester City in the race for the title, while Everton landed eighth spot.

The Championship play-off final, Europa League final and the Champions League final are still to be played - but for the most part, attentions have turned towards next season.

There is plenty in store for Premier League sides when it comes to rule changes. We already know that VAR will be introduced, but what about the key rule changes which will affect teams across the league?

The IFAB (International Football Association Board) have approved changes and clarifications to the Laws of the Game.

These alterations will have a huge impact on the Premier League and its sides, so let's take a look at the new rules in detail.

Handballs

The IFAB has clarified the situation in regards to handball decisions ahead of next season.

Goals will be disallowed if the ball accidentally strikes a player's hand in the build-up.

A free-kick will also be awarded outside of the penalty box if a player has accidentally created an advantage by handling the ball

Drop balls

The IFAB has also had its say on drop balls and is aiming to get rid of 'manufactured' restarts.

"The current dropped ball procedure often leads to a ‘manufactured’ restart which is ‘exploited’ unfairly or an aggressive confrontation," the IFAB explained.

"Returning the ball to the team that last played it restores what was ‘lost’ when play was stopped, except in the penalty area where it is simpler to return the ball to the goalkeeper.

"To prevent that team gaining an unfair advantage, all players of both teams, except the player receiving the ball, must be at least 4m (4.5 yds) away."

Substitutions

Another rule which has been introduced for next season sees some major alterations to substitutions.

Now players will have to leave the pitch at the nearest point rather than walk slowly across the field late in games and waste time.

Free-kicks

Attacking teams will no longer be allowed to have a player in the defensive wall for a free-kick.

When there is a wall of at least three players, those on the attacking team are not allowed to stand within one metre of the wall.

"There is no legitimate tactical justification for attackers to be in the ‘wall’ and their presence is against the ‘spirit of the game’ and often damages the image of the game," an IFAB statement explained.

Penalty kicks

This has certainly been overdue with goalkeepers taking advantage on penalty situations for a while now.

But from next season they will have to have one foot on the line.

Not only must keepers be touching the line, they will not be allowed to touch the goalposts before the ball is kicked.

Cards for coaches

Referees will now be able to show them a yellow card or a red card in the same way they do with players on the pitch. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/premier-league-rule-changes-news-16298463?fbclid=IwAR0pqDEK1rSbVAaeXgeQGkFqkTPDaFhqLGiCUu7kqH0FA7TPCbz2rOP8cSA

I only disagree with the keeper not be allowed to touch the goalposts before the ball is kicked. He's a sitting duck then!

Pretty sure virtually all of these rules were in place anyway, they just weren't enforced. Sounds like they are trying to have a crackdown but it's going to last all of about 5 games.

Rule changes that will affect Liverpool and all Premier League clubs next season

The 2018/19 Premier League campaign finished with Liverpool ending second behind Manchester City in the race for the title, while Everton landed eighth spot.

The Championship play-off final, Europa League final and the Champions League final are still to be played - but for the most part, attentions have turned towards next season.

There is plenty in store for Premier League sides when it comes to rule changes. We already know that VAR will be introduced, but what about the key rule changes which will affect teams across the league?

The IFAB (International Football Association Board) have approved changes and clarifications to the Laws of the Game.

These alterations will have a huge impact on the Premier League and its sides, so let's take a look at the new rules in detail.

Handballs

The IFAB has clarified the situation in regards to handball decisions ahead of next season.

Goals will be disallowed if the ball accidentally strikes a player's hand in the build-up.

A free-kick will also be awarded outside of the penalty box if a player has accidentally created an advantage by handling the ball

Drop balls

The IFAB has also had its say on drop balls and is aiming to get rid of 'manufactured' restarts.

"The current dropped ball procedure often leads to a ‘manufactured’ restart which is ‘exploited’ unfairly or an aggressive confrontation," the IFAB explained.

"Returning the ball to the team that last played it restores what was ‘lost’ when play was stopped, except in the penalty area where it is simpler to return the ball to the goalkeeper.

"To prevent that team gaining an unfair advantage, all players of both teams, except the player receiving the ball, must be at least 4m (4.5 yds) away."

Substitutions

Another rule which has been introduced for next season sees some major alterations to substitutions.

Now players will have to leave the pitch at the nearest point rather than walk slowly across the field late in games and waste time.

Free-kicks

Attacking teams will no longer be allowed to have a player in the defensive wall for a free-kick.

When there is a wall of at least three players, those on the attacking team are not allowed to stand within one metre of the wall.

"There is no legitimate tactical justification for attackers to be in the ‘wall’ and their presence is against the ‘spirit of the game’ and often damages the image of the game," an IFAB statement explained.

Penalty kicks

This has certainly been overdue with goalkeepers taking advantage on penalty situations for a while now.

But from next season they will have to have one foot on the line.

Not only must keepers be touching the line, they will not be allowed to touch the goalposts before the ball is kicked.

Cards for coaches

Referees will now be able to show them a yellow card or a red card in the same way they do with players on the pitch. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/premier-league-rule-changes-news-16298463?fbclid=IwAR0pqDEK1rSbVAaeXgeQGkFqkTPDaFhqLGiCUu7kqH0FA7TPCbz2rOP8cSA

I only disagree with the keeper not be allowed to touch the goalposts before the ball is kicked. He's a sitting duck then!

Interesting.

Thanks for posting Clint.

Is VAR confirmed in EPL?

Is VAR confirmed in EPL?

Yes, next season, but only for certain things.
Can't remember which, as I haven't looked in a while.

Yes, next season, but only for certain things.
Can't remember which, as I haven't looked in a while.

Good.

Like the one about leaving the pitch from the nearest point. Anything that cracks down on time-wasting can only be a good thing.

Wasn't there another rule regarding the Penalty coming in, where the ball is dead if saved/parried or hits a post, none of this ridiculous melee and encroachment.

Wasn't there another rule regarding the Penalty coming in, where the ball is dead if saved/parried or hits a post, none of this ridiculous melee and encroachment.

No, that was fake news

Yes, next season, but only for certain things.
Can't remember which, as I haven't looked in a while.

I think it was only for goal scoring opportunities or possible red card decisions. But don’t quote me 😊

The revolution will be televised: as the season ends, the age of VAR is nigh

Sunday’s Premier League games will be the last without video assistant referees, who are busy prepping for next season



Sunday’s round of Premier League matches are not only the last of the season but the final ones before video assistant referees – VARs – are introduced to the top flight. It is a moment many are wary of but no one can stop. The revolution is coming and it will be televised.

 
The encouraging news is that work has been under way at Stockley Park, VAR’s west-London headquarters, for close to two years to ensure the system operates successfully during the 380 Premier League games to be played next season. That process has involved live and non-live testing as well as consultations with all parties, including managers and players.


Last week it was the turn of journalists to hear a progress report from Mike Riley, the head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, as well as experience first-hand what it is like to be a VAR.


Riley is confident the system’s introduction to the Premier League will not significantly disrupt the “pace and tempo” of matches. He is also certain it will vastly improve the accuracy of “factual” calls, specifically regarding offsides.


As part of the non-live testing process, PGMOL officials have monitored all onside and offside calls that have taken place during the current Premier League season and noted that by match-round 33 there had been 35 such calls that, had VAR been in place, would have been overturned, leading to the “key-match incidents accuracy” of top-flight referees rising from 84% to 87% and that of assistant referees from 79% to 95%.


“Of those 35, 26 have been in matches when the score has been level or there has been a one-goal difference,” Riley said. “That’s why we’re positive about VAR: it will lead to more correct and important judgments.”


The system will not change the subjective nature of many decisions. As well as checking for mistaken identity, VARs also check goals, penalty calls and straight red cards and in each area there can be differing opinions. Hence the requirement of VARs to intervene only if they feel the on-pitch referee has made a “clear and obvious” error. Yet what the VAR may deem to be “clear and obvious”, others may not . As Riley put it: “Subjective decisions ultimately come down to the VAR on the day.”


In regards to live testing, 68 games in the domestic cups have seen the use of VAR. It is the data gathered from this process that, Riley said, shows the introduction of VARs will not have a hugely adverse effect on the flow of top-flight games. On average there were eight checks per game, with the average time of a check being 29 seconds; Riley noted: “The average time taken to celebrate a goal in the Premier League is 62 seconds.”


In a further attempt to maintain the flow of matches, the PGMOL wants VARs to make calls on decisions they feel need to be overturned or reviewed, as opposed to asking the on-pitch official to check the incidents on the screen in the referee referral areas that will be on the touchline at every fixture. Final decisions will rest with the on-pitch referee, however: if he or she does not want to overturn a call, they will not have to.



There are seven VAR booths at Stockley Park, in one room. At each booth the VAR sits in front of a screen showing the game, with another screen lower down on a three-second delay. To the VAR’s right is a replay operator, whose job it is to provide all the available shots of an incident, while to their left sits the assistant VAR, with a brief to see how the on-pitch referee has dealt with the incident. The VAR also has a green button to “bookmark” an incident to look at later. A red button allows them to contact the on-pitch referee. It is a fast-paced and occasionally bewildering experience. Patience will be key as those involved get to grips with their respective roles, something Riley is sure will occur. “Over time we’ll get better and faster at it.”


Riley’s predecessor, Keith Hackett, is a vocal critic of the way VAR will be implemented in the top flight, with one of his complaints being the lack of clarity regarding how spectators inside the ground will know an incident or decision is being checked or reviewed. In response the PGMOL has made it clear that before the start of next season all Premier League clubs will be required to put something in place at their grounds that will allow everyone inside to know VAR is in play, perhaps via the large screens or a PA announcement. It is also possible a clip of the incident in question could be shown but only after the check or review. All those matters will be discussed at the Premier League clubs’ summer meeting.



There is also a call from the PGMOL for those concerned to spend the summer swotting up on VAR guidelines and regulations, especially the players who need to remember two things in particular – all goals are checked by VAR and they can get booked if they make the VAR-screen gesture towards a referee or ask him to consult with the VAR in an “aggressive manner”.


Again, however, this creates a subjective grey area – what exactly is an aggressive manner? Does being sarcastic count as being aggressive? No one knows for sure but what is for certain is that from next season the Premier League will change for ever.

Click Here For Article

Can't argue with any of those rules to be fair. The walking off the field time wasting rule is long overdue.

I like the idea of leaving the pitch at the nearest point, but don't think players won't find a way to manipulate that.startimg off in one direction and then switching, etc. The only way this would ever stop is for the referee to time the entire sub process and have the 4th indicate exactly how long it took and then keep a.running tally of sub time (announced) to go with the rest of added time.

The revolution will be televised: as the season ends, the age of VAR is nigh

Sunday’s Premier League games will be the last without video assistant referees, who are busy prepping for next season



Sunday’s round of Premier League matches are not only the last of the season but the final ones before video assistant referees – VARs – are introduced to the top flight. It is a moment many are wary of but no one can stop. The revolution is coming and it will be televised.

 
The encouraging news is that work has been under way at Stockley Park, VAR’s west-London headquarters, for close to two years to ensure the system operates successfully during the 380 Premier League games to be played next season. That process has involved live and non-live testing as well as consultations with all parties, including managers and players.


Last week it was the turn of journalists to hear a progress report from Mike Riley, the head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, as well as experience first-hand what it is like to be a VAR.


Riley is confident the system’s introduction to the Premier League will not significantly disrupt the “pace and tempo” of matches. He is also certain it will vastly improve the accuracy of “factual” calls, specifically regarding offsides.


As part of the non-live testing process, PGMOL officials have monitored all onside and offside calls that have taken place during the current Premier League season and noted that by match-round 33 there had been 35 such calls that, had VAR been in place, would have been overturned, leading to the “key-match incidents accuracy” of top-flight referees rising from 84% to 87% and that of assistant referees from 79% to 95%.


“Of those 35, 26 have been in matches when the score has been level or there has been a one-goal difference,” Riley said. “That’s why we’re positive about VAR: it will lead to more correct and important judgments.”


The system will not change the subjective nature of many decisions. As well as checking for mistaken identity, VARs also check goals, penalty calls and straight red cards and in each area there can be differing opinions. Hence the requirement of VARs to intervene only if they feel the on-pitch referee has made a “clear and obvious” error. Yet what the VAR may deem to be “clear and obvious”, others may not . As Riley put it: “Subjective decisions ultimately come down to the VAR on the day.”


In regards to live testing, 68 games in the domestic cups have seen the use of VAR. It is the data gathered from this process that, Riley said, shows the introduction of VARs will not have a hugely adverse effect on the flow of top-flight games. On average there were eight checks per game, with the average time of a check being 29 seconds; Riley noted: “The average time taken to celebrate a goal in the Premier League is 62 seconds.”


In a further attempt to maintain the flow of matches, the PGMOL wants VARs to make calls on decisions they feel need to be overturned or reviewed, as opposed to asking the on-pitch official to check the incidents on the screen in the referee referral areas that will be on the touchline at every fixture. Final decisions will rest with the on-pitch referee, however: if he or she does not want to overturn a call, they will not have to.



There are seven VAR booths at Stockley Park, in one room. At each booth the VAR sits in front of a screen showing the game, with another screen lower down on a three-second delay. To the VAR’s right is a replay operator, whose job it is to provide all the available shots of an incident, while to their left sits the assistant VAR, with a brief to see how the on-pitch referee has dealt with the incident. The VAR also has a green button to “bookmark” an incident to look at later. A red button allows them to contact the on-pitch referee. It is a fast-paced and occasionally bewildering experience. Patience will be key as those involved get to grips with their respective roles, something Riley is sure will occur. “Over time we’ll get better and faster at it.”


Riley’s predecessor, Keith Hackett, is a vocal critic of the way VAR will be implemented in the top flight, with one of his complaints being the lack of clarity regarding how spectators inside the ground will know an incident or decision is being checked or reviewed. In response the PGMOL has made it clear that before the start of next season all Premier League clubs will be required to put something in place at their grounds that will allow everyone inside to know VAR is in play, perhaps via the large screens or a PA announcement. It is also possible a clip of the incident in question could be shown but only after the check or review. All those matters will be discussed at the Premier League clubs’ summer meeting.



There is also a call from the PGMOL for those concerned to spend the summer swotting up on VAR guidelines and regulations, especially the players who need to remember two things in particular – all goals are checked by VAR and they can get booked if they make the VAR-screen gesture towards a referee or ask him to consult with the VAR in an “aggressive manner”.


Again, however, this creates a subjective grey area – what exactly is an aggressive manner? Does being sarcastic count as being aggressive? No one knows for sure but what is for certain is that from next season the Premier League will change for ever.

Click Here For Article

"Final decisions will rest with the on-pitch referee, however: if he or she does not want to overturn a call, they will not have to."

Very interesting line in the article, especially as it pertains to red cards.

Maybe this belongs in the "little things in football that annoy you" thread, but i don't like whenever there's a ball in the offensive zone and the defending team's player blocks the offensive player from getting to it with no intention of playing the ball and it rolls out of bounds for a goal kick. Would not be opposed to see a rule where you have to play the ball.

Maybe this belongs in the "little things in football that annoy you" thread, but i don't like whenever there's a ball in the offensive zone and the defending team's player blocks the offensive player from getting to it with no intention of playing the ball and it rolls out of bounds for a free kick. Would not be opposed to see a rule where you have to play the ball.

I understand what you're saying, but shielding the ball, as attackers and defenders do, is a real skill, and part of the physical side of the game.

I'm on the fence with VAR, I think it's the final nail in the coffin of common sense in the beautiful game,  CS has been depleting for years to the point where it has now been iradicated altogether,

It was Shanks who said 'referees know the rules but do not know the game',

How true is that statement,  that even after 30 odd years it's still the case now,

Where I agree that refs need help i think the standard in refereeing has dropped whilst the standard of football and footballers has gone through the roof, so i guess something had to be done, however,  why not increase the standard of refereeing by introducing a ref academy where standards are set at a very high standard,  and have a conveyor belt of candidates, perhaps introducing a ex- player pool, to have that 'know the game' experience on the pitch?

I'm not convinced that VAR will better for  the game, I guess through time we'll all find out !!


YNWA

Can't argue with any of those rules to be fair. The walking off the field time wasting rule is long overdue.

Totally agree that winds me up big time that

Maybe this belongs in the "little things in football that annoy you" thread, but i don't like whenever there's a ball in the offensive zone and the defending team's player blocks the offensive player from getting to it with no intention of playing the ball and it rolls out of bounds for a goal kick. Would not be opposed to see a rule where you have to play the ball.

I always thought this should be classed as obstruction anyway. Their intention is not to play the ball but to stop the opposition from doing so.

Now players will have to leave the pitch at the nearest point rather than walk slowly across the field late in games and waste time.

Good!

I always thought this should be classed as obstruction anyway. Their intention is not to play the ball but to stop the opposition from doing so.

I agree, why is not playing the ball ok for a defender but not a midfielder?

Now players will have to leave the pitch at the nearest point rather than walk slowly across the field late in games and waste time.

Way long overdue...

Personally I would allow subs in the last five minutes  for injury only. Managers use last minute subs to waste time. Hard to police I suppose. Players will go down late on to waste time but in cases where a manager is making a sub clearly to waste time the 4th Ref should have the power to disallow it. And certainly time wasting subs in time added on should be disallowed.

And another thing...next season we should not have to wait nearly 3 bleedin' weeks for the feckin' Champions League final..

Referees should have hair. Bald refs should be banned

Referees should have hair. Bald refs should be banned

Or more like Mike Dean..

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11719397/mike-dean-celebrates-tranmeres-win

Or more like Mike Dean..

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11719397/mike-dean-celebrates-tranmeres-win

Looks like he has just devoured a bag of the white stuff and he's just starting to hit the peak.

Referees should have hair. Bald refs should be banned

Oi, leave the bald refs alone you follicleist! ;-)

Rule changes that will affect Liverpool and all Premier League clubs next season

The 2018/19 Premier League campaign finished with Liverpool ending second behind Manchester City in the race for the title, while Everton landed eighth spot.

The Championship play-off final, Europa League final and the Champions League final are still to be played - but for the most part, attentions have turned towards next season.

The piece must have been written by a blueball. Their attention turned towards next season since about February or something.

People will probably laugh at this but I want something to be done about keeping the ball at the corner flag, as it's clearly time wasting. There's a rule for every other aspect of time wasting, there should be something for this, e.g. add more time on. The attacking team always loses possession, and the defending team often cause an unsightly melee, sometimes they get cards when their frustration boils over. People will say it's part of the game, but so was diving and shirt pulling in the box, until VAR turned up to go and clean the dark arts out of football.

I'm on the fence with VAR, I think it's the final nail in the coffin of common sense in the beautiful game,  CS has been depleting for years to the point where it has now been iradicated altogether,

It was Shanks who said 'referees know the rules but do not know the game',

How true is that statement,  that even after 30 odd years it's still the case now,

Where I agree that refs need help i think the standard in refereeing has dropped whilst the standard of football and footballers has gone through the roof, so i guess something had to be done, however,  why not increase the standard of refereeing by introducing a ref academy where standards are set at a very high standard,  and have a conveyor belt of candidates, perhaps introducing a ex- player pool, to have that 'know the game' experience on the pitch?

I'm not convinced that VAR will better for  the game, I guess through time we'll all find out !!

YNWA

How many ex-players say they want to be referees?

Standards in officiating have always been questioned, even back in Shanks time. The incident at Inter Milan in our case, or the offside goal given for West Brom against Leeds, or the ghost goal in the Wembley WC Final, or in Paris with Henry or more recently, the incident in last year's ECF. If the ref got it wrong, he could always say he didn't see it, now he doesn't have that excuse. If he has to see something, he can look at it and inform himself of the facts before considering what decision to go with.

Our ref at this year's ECF, is Skomina who reffed our home game v Napoli and handed out yellow cards like confetti. He has had 3 European Cup knockout games since, and has needed to use VAR in all 3. So it's likely he will use it again in Madrid. The video ref is Makkelie who was ref in our game in Porto, and who used VAR to overturn a wrong decision on the pitch in our favour.

As a club, like every club, we will love it when it goes for us, and be frustrated when it goes against us. But at least the referee will know what happened, and be in a position to make the correct decision.

next season we should not have to wait nearly 3 bleedin' weeks for the feckin' Champions League final..

That is the fault of the EPL, nobody else. Our league started 1 week, in some cases 2 weeks earlier than the other major leagues, and therefore finished earlier. Two of the other leagues have still to finish, another two have cup finals still to play. We have to wait for them to finish before we can play the European Cup Final.

Next year, the final will be at least one week earlier, to allow for European Championship preparations. But in 2021, it should be back to a date similar to this year, or possibly later.

All Liverpool goals to count double

No, that was fake news

That's a shame, F***ing hate that melee, more akin to a kick about in the school yard.

Agree with keepers staying on the line but there should also be a rule prohibiting the staggered run up which clearly advantages the penalty taker.

All Liverpool goals to count double

And we should get 6 points for a win-cos we deserve it the way we play.

People will probably laugh at this but I want something to be done about keeping the ball at the corner flag, as it's clearly time wasting. There's a rule for every other aspect of time wasting, there should be something for this, e.g. add more time on. The attacking team always loses possession, and the defending team often cause an unsightly melee, sometimes they get cards when their frustration boils over. People will say it's part of the game, but so was diving and shirt pulling in the box, until VAR turned up to go and clean the dark arts out of football.

That doesn't really make sense as the ball is in play.  What would the rule be, "No taking the ball into the opponents corners if you're ahead with 2 minutes to go." 

A team can do what they like with the ball if they have possession.  Time-wasting only applies when the ball is dead!

Is VAR confirmed in EPL?

VAR in the Premier League will be different to how it is used in Europe. In the Premier League, the video will be reviewed by another ref who will then tell the match referee what he thinks … in Europe, the match referee will be able to look at a video by the touchline.

I don't like the idea of the referee not being able to watch the video himself … it's a recipe for huge inconsistency and will cause problems

I'm on the fence with VAR, I think it's the final nail in the coffin of common sense in the beautiful game,  CS has been depleting for years to the point where it has now been iradicated altogether,

If the technology is there then why not use it? For too long, tight games have been decided by the officials and not by the players. How it gets used will make a difference and I suspect that the way we'll be using it in the EPL next season will be problematic because it's new and will take some getting used to. Most other professional sports use it to some extent already - it is only football that has refused to embrace technology and enter the 21st century!

I can't see the point of the accidental hand ball rule change.

" Goals will be disallowed if the ball accidentally strikes a player's hand in the build up."

So is accidental hand ball now a foul. No more "ball to hand". If you stop a goal because of accidental hand ball..why then is accidental hand ball in the box by a defender not a penalty. What constitutes " build up"....surely the build up starts when a team gets possession...so accidental hand ball is an infringement at any time...or is it....also the rule change does not specify if it is an attacker or defender..I assume they mean the attacking team.

Accidental hand ball is now an infringement in one part of the game but in other situations..it's not.

That doesn't really make sense as the ball is in play.  What would the rule be, "No taking the ball into the opponents corners if you're ahead with 2 minutes to go." 

A team can do what they like with the ball if they have possession.  Time-wasting only applies when the ball is dead!

The IFAB have found a way to cut down on all other forms of time wasting, they should find something to deal with this. I hate it, even when we do it. The only thing guaranteed to happen is we will lose possession. Too much time taken for goal kicks and free kicks and throw ins is punished. They even found a way to punish backpasses to the goalkeeper, and now they have found a way to deal with time wasting substitutions, but nothing yet for time wasting at the corner flag.

VAR in the Premier League will be different to how it is used in Europe. In the Premier League, the video will be reviewed by another ref who will then tell the match referee what he thinks … in Europe, the match referee will be able to look at a video by the touchline.

I don't like the idea of the referee not being able to watch the video himself … it's a recipe for huge inconsistency and will cause problems

The whole point of a VAR is for him/them to alert the ref to an issue, which usually means there is an issue and the original decision has to be changed/reversed/overturned.

Refs on the field should not need monitors to look at offsides. It's a black or white issue, which the VAR can easily judge by himself. Subjective calls are more tricky, and the monitor will still be there, but Mike Riley wants to cut it out to speed up the game. What we need is the right decision, so that nobody walks off a pitch or leaves a stand, feeling cheated by referee mistakes. If it takes 15 seconds great. If it takes 5 minutes, fine. Ignore how long it takes, just make the right decision and we can move on.

The IFAB have found a way to cut down on all other forms of time wasting, they should find something to deal with this. I hate it, even when we do it. The only thing guaranteed to happen is we will lose possession. Too much time taken for goal kicks and free kicks and throw ins is punished. They even found a way to punish backpasses to the goalkeeper, and now they have found a way to deal with time wasting substitutions, but nothing yet for time wasting at the corner flag.

This has got to be a wind up.

Nobody is this stupid.