VAR interventions for second yellow cards are set to be introduced in time for the World Cup.
But lawmakers are still split on ideas to speed up play and potential changes to the offside law.
VAR interventions for second yellow cards are set to be introduced in time for the 2026 World CupCredit: Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United/REX
VAR doesn’t intervene when it comes to yellow cardsCredit: Casentini/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
The latest meeting of the International FA Board’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels – made up of former players, referees and coaches – agreed that VAR officials “should have the possibility to intervene when an incorrect second yellow card has been given”.
Under current protocols, VAR can only recommend decision changes for the “Key Match Incidents” of goals, penalties and straight red cards.
But the agreement means a formal proposal to change the laws and allow intervention by video refs for second yellows will be made for the Annual Business Meeting at a hotel in January.
If passed, as is expected, it would then need to be ratified at the AGM, to be held at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel near Cardiff the following month.
While any law changes officially come into effect from July 1, Fifa – which has four of the eight votes on Ifab, with the Home Nations each having one vote – would be likely to agree to bring the new regulation in for the , due to start on June 11.
However, despite agreement that measures might be needed to speed up the game and minimise time-wasting, no formal options were backed at the meeting.
Members of the panel agreed the new “eight seconds or a corner” rule for keepers, introduced this summer, has been a success.
But while there were discussions about whether the countdown principle could be applied to throw-ins and goal kicks, no consensus on possible action emerged.
Although there will be further debate at both the January and meetings.
And there will be no immediate changes to the offside law, which has seen trials of ’s proposed “daylight rule” and also consideration of using the torso of players as the measure.
Despite being asked “to consider whether the main objective should be to reduce marginal offside decisions in modern to promote more attacking play”, members agreed the issue “required further analysis and additional trials” pending any changes.
