Pity the poor referee. No wonder local associations all around the world are finding it ever more difficult to persuade people to take up the noble art of the whistle.
It’s not enough that elite players set an example of petulance and deception, not enough that one-eyed parents and fans scream abuse from the touchline and threaten physical violence; referees also have to cope with the meddling of an organisation that is supposed to provide them with a level playing field: the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
Once upon a time one of the greatest strengths of association football was the conservatism of its lawmakers. Not for them a panic every year to change the scoring system or the time of play – the illustrations of insecurity evident in so many sports as they chase a TV contract or try to squeeze into the Olympic programme every four years.
But that has changed. Remember the definition of a camel? A horse designed by a committee. That is the road down which football has been galloping ever since IFAB was swallowed up in FIFA’s reforms.
As an illustration, on March 5, three days after the latest annual meeting, IFAB had to publish this clarification: “Contrary to some incorrect reports in the media related to the penalty kick procedure (Law 14), the ball will remain in play in the event of a penalty kick rebounding from the goalkeeper, crossbar or goalposts. The only change to Law 14 discussed and agreed at the 133rd IFAB Annual General Meeting last Saturday is that the goalkeeper is now required to have only one foot on, or in line with, the goal line when a penalty kick is taken.”
The fact that IFAB had to deny a piece of nonsense thrown around last year in its advisory committees was a demonstration of the danger to the game now lurking in the lawmakers’ corridors of power.
Denne historien er fra April 2019-utgaven av World Soccer.
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Denne historien er fra April 2019-utgaven av World Soccer.
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Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines