Football chiefs reveal shock new law to clamp down on ‘s***housery’ – with rule coming into effect THIS SUMMER
FOOTBALL chiefs will today confirm a new law to ban Emi Martinez-style shoot-out antics.
The game’s law-making body, the International FA Board, has agreed a major clampdown after Aston Villa keeper Martinez used every trick in the book during Argentina’s World Cup shoot-out wins over the Netherlands and France.
SunSport revealed the plans were being strongly discussed in January.
And at its annual general meeting in London today, Ifab will confirm the law change to come into effect from July 1.
The amendment to Law 14 will state: “Goalkeepers must not behave in a way that unfairly distracts the kicker at a penalty kick or during penalties.”
That means bookings and eventually dismissals for keepers who deliberately engage in gamesmanship tactics at spot-kicks or in shoot-outs.
Martinez’s outrageous behaviour in Qatar was the spark for the law change.
The Villa gloveman engaged in a series of acts against both Holland in the last eight clash and the final against France, including booting the ball out of the box on one occasion and picking it up, walking back to his line before throwing it away on another.
That will now be outlawed and bring a yellow card in the first instance and a red for a repeat performance, which would mean an outfield player having to go in goal during a shoot-out.
In another change, referees will be ordered to add on extra time at the end of each half to take account of goal celebrations as well as substitutions, injury stoppages and VAR interventions.
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While that does not mean mandating World Cup-style time-keeping in the Prem – England’s opener against Iran lasted 117 minutes – it is anticipated that five or six minutes will be added to the second halves of most games.
Ifab will also confirm guidelines to determine what is considered “deliberate play” by a defender which will mean an attacking player is not deemed offside if the ball reaches them.
One example being used would mean Harry Kane’s equalising penalty against Germany in the Nations League last season would now not be awarded because he would be flagged offside with the defender’s touch ruled as unintentional.