Time up for time-wasting

With the FIFA World Cup now less than 100 days away, a clear message has been sent out to players and coaches that gamesmanship will not be tolerated after the annual general meeting of football's law makers, the International FA Board (IFAB), in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Modifications endorsed
The IFAB, which comprises representatives from world governing body FIFA and the national associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, has approved a series of modifications to the Laws of the Game, endorsing instructions to referees and assistant referees concerning time-wasting, reckless play, simulation and general gamesmanship. The changes will officially come into force on 1 July, but with the World Cup beginning on 9 June the board has decided that the modifications will apply for this summer's tournament in Germany.

Goalline technology
Also on the agenda at the meeting was goalline technology with further tests requested on both chip-in-the-ball technology and an experiment put forward by the Italian Football Federation that uses high-performance digital cameras rather than a chip-implanted ball or any fixed installation on the playing field or in the goalposts. However, FIFA were keen to make it clear that "technological assistance would be allowed only for determining whether or not a goal has been scored and provided that it gives an immediate indication".

UEFA trial
A proposal by UEFA for a trial of a referee communication system was approved. The idea, which features an open microphone and an earphone for officials, has already been tested during this season's UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup. But a request by the French Football Federation for tests with a video assistance system for referees was rejected. The IFAB decided that the proposed system went beyond the remit established by the board and would cause too many delays in decision-making during matches.

Clamping down
The other key item on the agenda concerned special instructions for match officials during the World Cup. As a result, referees and assistant referees will be asked to produced red cards in response to any cases of elbowing, reckless tackling and serious foul play. Meanwhile, shirt-pulling and holding an opponent will result in a yellow card, as will provoking confrontation with an opposition player by deliberately interfering with the ball after the referee has stopped play.

Role models
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter praised the board's decisions, saying: "The World Cup is the perfect platform to send out this message to the whole world of football as people all around the globe will follow the 64 matches in Germany. The stars of the tournament will serve as role models for hundreds of millions of other players around the world. So it is all the more important that Germany 2006 sets a positive example."

Workshop planned
The directives will be explained further at a workshop for the World Cup finalists which is due to take place in the Germany city of Dusseldorf from 5-7 March.