{"id":2554,"date":"2026-03-06T07:12:33","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T07:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=2554"},"modified":"2026-03-06T07:12:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T07:12:33","slug":"footballs-new-var-rules-that-will-end-time-wasting-but-upset-fans-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=2554","title":{"rendered":"Football’s new VAR rules that will end time wasting but upset fans | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Strap in, more VAR is on the way (Picture: Getty\/Metro)
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If there\u2019s one thing all football fans can agree on, as we trundle through match after match of grappling and time-wasting, it\u2019s that what we actually need are more rules.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what the International Football Association Board have decided, anyway. <\/p>\n

In an era of official club complaints, anger in the stands and frustration from players and managers alike, football\u2019s lawmakers are introducing new rules to combat time wasting and give more power to VAR.<\/p>\n

The rules will come into effect from July 1 across football, but also be in place for the start of this summer\u2019s World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada in June.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tYou’re reading an extract from In The Mixer \u2013 Metro’s football newsletter\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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What changes are being made to stop time wasting?<\/h2>\n

After the relative success of this year\u2019s new rule giving goalkeepers eight seconds to release the ball, throw-ins and goal kicks will now also have five second countdowns if the referee thinks a player is time wasting.<\/p>\n

There is one difference between the new rules and the goalkeeper countdown, as a referee will only start one when they feel a player is time wasting, instead of immediately as is the case with goalkeepers.<\/p>\n

The other change means anyone substituted will now have 10 seconds to get off the pitch \u2013 if they don\u2019t the referee can delay their replacement coming on until the next stoppage in play.<\/p>\n

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler singled out Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya for time wasting by going to ground with an injury on more than one occasion during their match on Wednesday (Picture: Reuters)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How is VAR changing?<\/h2>\n

The new rules mean VAR will now be able to intervene in red cards that have resulted from an incorrect second yellow and corners that shouldn\u2019t have been given. <\/p>\n

Again, reasonable on paper, but do we really want to introduce more stoppages and opportunities for VAR to upset everyone with inconsistencies? Surely that\u2019s what we should be avoiding.<\/p>\n

But what do we fans know, after all? We\u2019re not the experts, and a problem like this needs the best minds in football. Step up Pierluigi Collina \u2013 one of the most recognisable referees of all time and surely a credible voice of reason on issues like VAR and why nobody seems to like it.<\/p>\n

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Collina points out the ripped shirt of Sweden striker Kennet Andersson to Scotland defenders during a World Cup qualifier in 1996 (Picture Stu Forster\/Allsport UK\/Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018In Italy, we say that in every wonderful marriage, there is a crisis after seven years,\u2019 said the 2002 World Cup final referee. \u2018So it might be possible that people fell in love with VAR, and then after some years, as with your wife, you have a small crisis.\u2019<\/p>\n

Sorry Pierluigi, this one feels more like an arranged marriage doomed for failure from day one.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tFull list of football’s rule changes\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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These are the new rules that will come into effect ahead of the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n

Throw-ins and goal kicks<\/strong><\/p>\n

If the referee considers that a throw-in or goal kick is taking too long or being deliberately delayed, a five-second visual countdown will be initiated. If the ball is not in play at the end of the countdown, the throw-in will be awarded to the opposing team while a delayed goal kick will result in a corner kick being awarded to the opponents.<\/p>\n

Time-limited substitutions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Substituted players must leave the field of play within ten seconds of the substitution board being displayed or, where there is no substitution board, of the referee\u2019s signal. Should the player fail to leave within this time, they must still exit the field but the substitute will not be permitted to enter until the first stoppage after one minute (running clock) has elapsed following the restart.<\/p>\n

Off-field treatment and assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Any time a player receives on-field assessment for an injury, or their injury causes play to be stopped, they will be required to leave the field of play and remain off it for one minute once play has restarted.<\/p>\n

Video assistant referees<\/strong><\/p>\n

VAR will now be permitted to assist the referee in relation to:<\/p>\n