Fans were split on a divisive set of suggested rule changes proposed by the Dutch football association which circulated on social media on Thursday.
The start of 2024 has seen a number of tweaks to the laws of the game floated both by governing bodies such as FIFA, and IFAB – the International Football Association Board – which has sole jurisdiction over any potential changes.
Most recently, supporters have debated the necessity of the introduction of a ‘blue card’ which could sin-bin players for 10 minutes, with the idea sparking widespread backlash.
IFAB are also in the process of trialling a new rule change intended to keep goalkeepers from holding onto the ball and wasting time.
But at a meeting on Thursday, the KNVB made a raft of suggested changes – some of which could prove very radical indeed.
Fans were briefly horrified by the proposal of a ‘blue card’ for time penalties earlier this year
But a number of regulation changes suggested by the KNVB went even further than sin bins
The first proposed kick-ins from the sidelines instead of throw-ins, with the second also suggesting time penalties as per the ‘blue card’ idea.
The third would allow a self-pass for a free kick, the fourth suggested that the concept of flying substitutes could be introduced in Netherlands football, and the fifth in favour of a net playing time.
Journalist Kieran Maguire suggested that this would likely amount to 60 minutes in play, rather than the 90 minutes gross in use at present.
Such radical changes prompted discussions under the initial post on X (formerly Twitter), with some claiming that some could be introduced positively.
‘1, 3 & 5 would improve the game,’ one fan wrote. ‘Would speed the game up, reduce time wasting, and benefit the attacking team after cynical fouls.’
Another added: ‘All for these. 1. Would have to be below head height passes so you can’t just smash it forward, or even another self pass. 2. No brainer for cynical fouls.
‘3. Do it. 4. Not sure. 5. Has to happen, like in rugy, so we all know where we are time wise.’
Some, by contrast, we keener to pick and choose, with one suggesting that the idea of net playing time was ‘the only sensible (idea)’.
‘We tried massive injury,’ the commenter stressed, ‘and it’s still inconsistent.
‘Rest of them are straight out of the (Arsene) Wenger school of nonsense.’
Fans were divided on which of the proposals they would be interested in having – if any at all
Another agreed, writing: ‘Would support get No. 5 – games are going on far too long. Pretty awful list otherwise.’
‘No. 5 is something I’ve been shouting into the wind about for ages. Love it,’ a third added.
But many rejected all of the suggestions, with one commenter posting: ‘The Dutch FA need to self-pass themselves into the sin bin.’
A second quipped: ‘Clearly plans hatched in an Amsterdam cafe.’
Another supporter stressed: ‘Just. Leave. Football. Alone.’
Regardless of supporters’ feelings at present on the suggestions, there’s little to suggest that any will be introduced formally.
The KNVB are not board members at IFAB, and as such cannot table these proposals – of which only one, the sin bin concept, has been up for initial debate.
IFAB’s board of directors include the chief executives of the four British football associations, including Mark Bullingham of the English FA, Noel Mooney of Wales, Patrick Nelson for Northern Ireland and Ian Maxwell for Scotland.
This reflects the significant power that UK football chiefs – for historical reasons – are able to exert over its decisions, with each British association enjoying one vote each, and FIFA having four. Any law change needs at least six votes to be passed.
This summer’s Copa America will see the trial of a new ‘pink card’ for concussion substitutes
While FIFA president Gianni Infantino does not have a seat on the board himself, he is the chair of the organisation’s AGM, which takes place in March.
Away from IFAB, CONMEBOL are set to trial a new ‘pink card’ at this summer’s Copa America tournament, which could see a team granted an additional substitute in matches.
CONMEBOL said the potential sixth substitute could be granted in the event of suspected head injuries and concussion.
The rule requires teams to give a pink card to the fourth official to differentiate a concussion sub from a normal sub.
