A CONTROVERSIAL new football rule was used for the first time during a friendly on Sunday – and it resulted in a goal being scored.
The recently-introduced law, announced in January, states that players being substituted must leave the pitch within 10 seconds.
An Iceland player was not allowed onto the pitch due to a new rule over substitutions
An Iceland player took over 10 seconds to leave the pitch, which meant his replacement had to wait a minute before coming on.
— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) June 1, 2026
Japan then scored in that minute! 😅
FIFA’s new World Cup rules already having a big impact!! 😍 pic.twitter.com/J50pa2My7H
If they do not, the after one minute.
Such a situation took place during the international friendly between and at the weekend.
In the 85th minute, Iceland midfielder Kristian Hlynsson did not leave the pitch at the nearest point, meaning Isak Thorvaldsson was not allowed on immediately.
Koki Ogawa went on to score the winning goal while Japan had the man advantage.
Fans were quick to react, with one person saying: “Great change, I love it. This sort of thing should be applied everywhere.”
Another commented: “Love to see it. Excellent rule change. Time wasting on substitutions has been a long standing problem.”
While a third said: “F*** around and find out.”
The rule was introduced in a bid to speed up the tempo of the match and prevent timewasting.
Furthermore, “injured” players will be forced to stay off for two minutes unless they were on the end of a foul that led to a yellow or red card.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) also revealed a series of additional rule changes at the weekend.
Those include five-second countdowns for throw-ins and goal kicks, red cards for players covering their mouths during confrontations and punishments for teams walking off the pitch in protest.
Ahead of the this summer, powers have also been expanded.
Officials will now be allowed to step in if a foul is committed before the ball is in play at a set piece.
VAR will also be able to check if a corner is incorrectly given and if second yellow cards are incorrectly awarded.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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