The Major Changes In Football Rules From The 2019-20 Season Onwards

Football is all set to witness key rules being implemented from the 2019-20 season onwards. Over time, we have seen many key changes that shaped the game as it is today. Now, the International FA Board (IFAB) has announced some new major rule changes.

Several important ones have been listed below:

 

Accidental handball goals won’t be considered

Often, we see the this debate coming up on whether a team should be awarded a goal if the ball strikes a player’s hands accidentally and goes into the net. From 2019-20 season, a ball that strikes a player’s hand and gets into the post, intentionally or not, will be deemed as not a goal.

An IFAB statement read, “For example a goal scored directly from the hand/arm (even if accidental) and a player scoring or creating a goal-scoring opportunity after having gained possession/control of the ball from their hand/arm (even if accidental) will no longer be allowed.”

 

Substituted players can leave the field from anywhere

Till now the rules suggested that a substituted player can leave the field at the halfway line, where the player set to replace him comes in. But from the new season, a substituted player can leave the pitch at the nearest point.

 

Managers to be shown yellow and red cards

Generally football team managers and coaches are often sent to the stands if they cross the line with the match officials. Other times they get a warning. But from now, managers will receive yellow and red cards, just like players.

 

No attacking players will be present in the wall

In occasions of set-pieces from a free-kick, we often see the tallest players making a wall. Players from all departments were allowed to stand in the wall. But as per the new rules, the wall can only be made up of players from the defending unit. There will be a one-metre exclusion zone around the defensive wall.