FIFA board limits subs
ByReuters
Published 28/02/2004 at 17:50 GMT
A maximum of six substitutes will be allowed in international friendly matches from next season, soccer's law-making International Board says. The decision will end the recent practice by many European coaches of making up to 11 substitutions in friendlie
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Many international coaches will be dismayed by the decision, though it is something of a compromise between FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who wanted a maximum of five substitutes, and coaches who wanted the right to make unlimited changes.
The Board, the sport's ultimate law-making authority, also decided to scrap both Golden Goals and Silver Goals to end drawn matches and to revert to extra time and penalties.
The decisions will take effect after the final of the European Championship on July 4.
The Board rejected a proposal to extend the halftime break from 15 to 20 minutes, but decided to re-introduce a yellow card for players who remove their shirts while celebrating a goal.
The experiment of advancing free kicks 10 metres following dissent will be extended for another season.
A recent innovation in Belgium, where a coach communicated with his goalkeeper via a radio link, has been outlawed, as has the use of one-piece kits incorporating shirts and shorts, as worn by Cameroon in the recent African Nations Cup.
From next season, matches may be played on either natural grass or artificial pitches, according to the rules of the relevant competition and as long as the artificial turf meets FIFA standards.
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