The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has announced a rule change that will see VAR review fouls committed immediately before the ball is in play. The change, which comes into effect next year, aims to increase consistency in refereeing decisions and reduce controversy in the sport.
According to the new rules, VAR officials will now be able to review fouls that occur just before the ball is in play, including those that result in a free kick or penalty.
England manager Gareth Southgate has expressed concerns about the impact of the rule change on the beautiful game, stating that it could lead to more goals being ruled out. 'We've seen it in the past, where a perfectly good goal is disallowed because of a marginal call. This could exacerbate that problem,' he said.
The rule change has sparked a heated debate in the football community, with some arguing that it is necessary to increase consistency in refereeing decisions, while others believe it will lead to more controversy on the pitch.
The change is set to come into effect at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament is expected to attract millions of fans from around the world, and the rule change is likely to be a major talking point throughout the competition.