IFAB opens discussion on handball rule, but shuts door on ending stoppage time subs

November 7 – The International Football Association Board, the game’s rulemaking body, discussed the handball rule at an interim meeting on Tuesday and how it could be made clearer.

IFAB said that its technical advisory panel had “a detailed and constructive discussion” on how the rule could be improved.

It said the panel wanted “to clarify what constitutes handball and consequently, to ensure a more consistent application of the law.”

The interpretation of what is considered a deliberate handball has changed over the last few years, leading to confusion among players and supporters.

Separately, IFAB, whose main decision-making annual meeting is in March, said the panel supported a potential rule change which would introduce red and yellow cards for team officials.

However, it did not support a proposal to ban substitutions in stoppage time, a move intended to cut down on time-wasting.

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