FIFA set to approve a new rule for football worldwide | OneFootball

FIFA is preparing to implement one of the most important regulatory changes in recent years, aiming directly at combating simulation and the net loss of playing time in matches. Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the Referees Committee, confirmed that a new “anti-simulation” rule will be tested at the upcoming Arab Cup, to be held in Qatar from December 1 to 18.

The measure consists of requiring any outfield player who receives medical assistance on the pitch to leave the field and remain off for a period of two minutes. Yes, during that time, their team will be forced to play with one fewer player. The reason? Simple: so that the time lost to interruptions has a consequence and acts as a deterrent for those who seek to delay matches or exaggerate injuries, as Collina himself explained.

This proposal arises from FIFA’s technical reports indicating that out of the 90 regulation minutes, the net playing time is only between 50 and 55 minutes. The rest is consumed by strategic delays, protests, and medical attention that, in many cases, do not represent genuine injuries.

The legendary Italian referee stated that “if a player is truly injured, two minutes is not a disadvantage; if not, the obligation to leave the field will act as a deterrent.” Thus, the regulation aims to restore the natural rhythm of the game and protect the spectacle.

Nevertheless, the rule contemplates only two exceptions to the temporary exclusion: the goalkeeper, for functional reasons, and the player whose injury is the result of a serious foul that results in a yellow or red card for the opponent.

The roadmap for this new measure

The Arab Cup will serve as the first major testing ground for the measure. Collina expressed optimism that this new experience will also bring great benefits to the dynamics of the sport.

Thus, if the experiment in Qatar yields good results, FIFA will present the full report to the IFAB (International Football Association Board) in March 2026. If approved, the rule could come into effect worldwide in July of that same year, after the World Cup, marking a before and after in the regulatory history of the beautiful game.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.