When we heard FIFA members were having a meeting this morning, we instantly thought of this scene.
Sepp Blatter and some of his fellow FIFA members form part of the Stonecutters International Football Association Board and met in Belfast this morning to discuss possible rule football rule changes.
The body consists of representatives from the English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish football associations, as well as four members from FIFA.
Each motion needed a two-thirds majority to pass, and items this year included the possibility of a fourth substitution in extra time and a decision on so-called ‘triple punishment’. Where the ‘denial of an obvious scoring opportunity’ in the penalty area can result in a player being sent off, conceding a penalty and receive a suspension.
But the most radical item open for discussion was a potential use of video replays to support match officials.
Potentially significant changes to the world’s most popular sport were on the cards and… basically none will be enacted.
The ‘triple punishment’ reform was rejected, the player will still leave a red card, but there’s a chance, if the foul wasn’t a ‘serious infringement’, the player will not be suspended.
The fourth substitution in extra-time will also be discussed further among respective football associations.
IFAB had an ‘extensive’ discussion on whether to allow video replays, but will continue to discuss the topic in further detail.
The only significant change was that recreational football will allow ‘return substitutions’, hoping it will boost participation.
So basically, there’s no change at the top level of football and we referees should expect further hell from Jose Mourinho. They all got together, had a discussion to decide each discussion needs further discussion.
Even these lads have more productive get-togethers.
