IFAB advisory panels continue their focus on tempo disruption

—- The IFAB’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels (FAP-TAP), which bring together football stakeholders from across the world, held an online meeting chaired by FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström today to discuss recent measures to reduce tempo disruption and improve participant behaviour, as well as reviewing developments relating to video assistant referees (VARs).

Following a summary of the changes introduced in the Laws of the Game 2026/27, the panel members provided feedback and reviewed potential amendments and clarifications for inclusion in the 2027/28 edition of the Laws, against the backdrop of a general consensus to minimise further alterations as the game continues to adapt to several significant amendments made in recent years.

The members received an update on the trial addressing the use of goalkeeper injury stoppages for tactical purposes and were pleased with very positive initial results from those countries taking part in the trial.

Despite the widespread success of the recent tempo-disruption measures, FAP-TAP did not support the extension of the five-second countdown, already used for throw-ins and goal kicks, to corner kicks and free kicks for a variety of reasons, including that these are complex tactical situations.

A proposal to use a single coin toss before penalty shoot-outs, allowing the winning captain to choose which goal will be used or whether to take the first or second kick, was supported as bringing greater fairness.

Discussions on participant behaviour covered the conduct of kickers and goalkeepers during penalty shoot-outs and confrontations over the ball after a goal is scored. Holding and pushing before corner kicks and free kicks were also discussed, but it was agreed that there are sufficient provisions within the current Laws.

Updates were provided on the ongoing offside trial in the Canadian Premier League and the trials of Football Video Support (FVS), which helps competitions with limited resources use replay footage to assist referees.

The panels were also informed of The IFAB’s forthcoming comprehensive review of the VAR system and protocol. Drawing on stakeholder feedback and independent data analysis, the review will examine potential improvements to the system’s effectiveness and acceptance among football stakeholders.

The panels’ views and recommendations will help inform discussions at The IFAB’s next Annual Business Meeting, which is scheduled to take place on 14 January 2027 in Zurich, Switzerland.
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