New Laws of Football 2025/26

[davieG]

Sky Sports Football  ·

Follow

 

here could be some big law changes ahead of the 2026 World Cup next summer...

Football lawmakers are reportedly considering drastic changes including tweaks to how much VAR can intervene in play.

 

[filbertway]

3 minutes ago, davieG said:

Sky Sports Football  ·

Follow

 

here could be some big law changes ahead of the 2026 World Cup next summer...

Football lawmakers are reportedly considering drastic changes including tweaks to how much VAR can intervene in play.

 

Would like more clarification on that 2nd one. You're at risk of checking every single tackle made by an already cautioned player.

 

Adding more checks is definitely not the right move given the time it takes to reach decisions by people atm.

[Super Shinji]

9 minutes ago, filbertway said:

Would like more clarification on that 2nd one. You're at risk of checking every single tackle made by an already cautioned player.

 

Adding more checks is definitely not the right move given the time it takes to reach decisions by people atm.

The way I understand it, is that it would only

be checked after the 2 yellow is issued.

[rugbyblue]

F**k me.  Just leave the game alone.  150 odd years without any of this b0ll0cks and it became the most popular game on the planet......and now you think you can improve it!!! 

 

F**k VAR.  F**k automated offsides. F**k Fifa.

 

Not debating.  Sorry.

[dmayne7]

20 minutes ago, davieG said:

Sky Sports Football  ·

Follow

 

here could be some big law changes ahead of the 2026 World Cup next summer...

Football lawmakers are reportedly considering drastic changes including tweaks to how much VAR can intervene in play.

 

If VAR was a well oiled machine, 2 and 3 would be great.

 

First 1 is an absolute nonsense though. That's part of the risk and reward. Personally think the double jeopardy rule change was crap as well because again, you're taking the risk to deny a goalscoring opportunity.

[FoxesFourLife]

With rule 2 what if the 1st yellow is a bad call by the ref but the second a definite yellow will VAR check both as they both contribute to the dismissal of the player at bit contentious this one. 

[HybridFox]

I don't mind the penalty change personally. It's always been a bit sh**house scoring after the keeper's saved it and will avoid the whole encroachment VAR rubbish too

Edited 17 July 2025 by HybridFox

[Staff]

I dont want the penalty rule to change, its part of the drama. If your checking contentious 2nd yellows then contentious 1st yellows need checking. And if your checking corners then you need to check throw ins too. Opening a can of worms, just leave it as it is 

[StanSP]

1 hour ago, filbertway said:

Would like more clarification on that 2nd one. You're at risk of checking every single tackle made by an already cautioned player.

 

Adding more checks is definitely not the right move given the time it takes to reach decisions by people atm.

The rebound thing is crap. 

 

The 2nd one is probably the one I agree most with.

 

The third one is bollocks. 

 

You go through the process of taking the corner, and the ball goes in from a header or it bobbles round a bit, comes to the edge of the box, played out wide, cross comes in and goal scored. Does it get checked?! 

 

Surely the sensible thing here is extend goal line technology so that cameras are trained down the whole touchline and almost instantly you can see who got the final touch. Don't let the corner be taken and then bring it back just because a goal might have been scored! 

[StanSP]

Also, this 'clear error' definition is bollocks too. No leading official has ever been able to decipher what's clear or what isn't either outside of a match or during a game. PGMOL definitely can't, UEFA and FIFA can't. It leaves it to too much interpretation and subjectivity 

[AjcW]

So, the ref blows the whistle as soon as a penalty is saved or hits the post? Then what? Goal kick? Free Kick?  

[filbertway]

3 minutes ago, StanSP said:

Also, this 'clear error' definition is bollocks too. No leading official has ever been able to decipher what's clear or what isn't either outside of a match or during a game. PGMOL definitely can't, UEFA and FIFA can't. It leaves it to too much interpretation and subjectivity 

Yep, that's really the issue, a lot of football officiating is subjective.

 

The fact that players go down and easy and are allowed to try and con the refs also makes it extra hard.

 

I just wish they'd trim it down to the best bits. Goal line tech and semi-automated offsides.

[st albans fox]

Jesus 

they’re running out of stuff to change so they’re picking ridiculous things 

 

number 2 I could just about understand if they can use it properly 

number 3 is nonsense 

number 1 I simply don’t get 

[HoChiMinhFOX]

I'm so confused about the penalty one. Is that really a necessary change?

[brookfox]

Any rule trying to increase corners feels like a stealth way to punish us!

[Corky]

What is the reasoning for not having penalty rebounds?

[st albans fox]

18 minutes ago, Corky said:

What is the reasoning for not having penalty rebounds?

Done some digging and apparently it’s because more penalties are being awarded for meh reasons. Hence it’s so considered that one chance to score is enough and rebounds make it unfair on the keeper who makes a save 

Edited 17 July 2025 by st albans fox

[messerschmitt]

Shouldn't these new rules have at the end (Unless you're one of the big six)

[davieG]

13 minutes ago, messerschmitt said:

Shouldn't these new rules have at the end (Unless you're one of the big six)

or if you are depending on which way the wind blows.

[Winstonthedog]

On 03/07/2025 at 15:05, VLC86 said:

Only a limited number of rugby players can speak though.

Can't beat a raving grunt though 

[floz]

On 03/07/2025 at 13:49, davieG said:

Just a reminder or in case you missed them.

 

 

Law Changes Summary

1. Only the Captain

Competitions can now mandate that only the team captain may approach referees—identified by an armband—to improve on-field respect and communication.

2. Goalkeeper 8‑Second Rule

A goalkeeper controlling the ball for over 8 seconds (visual 5‑second countdown by the referee) will result in a corner kick awarded to the opponent—replacing the old 6‑second, indirect free-kick rule.

3. Dropped Ball Clarification

If play stops in the penalty area, a dropped ball goes to the goalkeeper.

Outside, it's dropped to the team entitled to possession, or to the last player who touched it if unclear.

4. Ball Out of Play Contacts

If a staff member, substitute, sent-off or temporarily off-field player touches the ball as it’s exiting the field—no misconduct, just an indirect free-kick.

5. Offside from Keeper Throws

Offside is now determined by the last point of contact when the goalkeeper throws the ball (not release point).

6. VAR & AR Protocol Updates

Competitions may allow referees to announce VAR reviews publicly (as seen in FA Cup and Carabao Cup).

In VAR zones, assistant referees will align with the penalty spot, focusing solely on offside; VAR will monitor goal-line and keeper encroachment.

Can someone explain what number 5 means? 

[CornwallFox]

Weird set of changes

[PAULCFC]

They are checking the Sh.t out of everything allready......we don't need anymore!

[rugbyblue]

55 minutes ago, PAULCFC said:

They are checking the Sh.t out of everything allready......we don't need anymore!

Well they couldnt possibly allow the small team plebs to sneak a sh*t house one nil win at the etihad or anfield with a controversial goal could they.  That just wouldn't do 😡

[PAULCFC]

33 minutes ago, rugbyblue said:

Well they couldnt possibly allow the small team plebs to sneak a sh*t house one nil win at the etihad or anfield with a controversial goal could they.  That just wouldn't do 😡

That's the trouble wth VAR for me....it could be very usefull,but the way it's used now is just going overboard.I was led to believe it was for clear and obvious mistakes from the Refs,not for a players toe nail being off side! Until this is sorted out i'll keep going to non league!