Laws of football: Wider VAR scope and more countdowns for World Cup

A series of measures to tackle ‘tempo disruption’ and ‘time lost’ have also been approved.

Following the success of the eight-second time limit imposed on goalkeepers releasing the ball when it is in their hands, a countdown will now be applied to players taking goal-kicks and throw-ins.

If a player takes too long, possession will switch to the opposition, meaning a goal-kick could become a corner, or a throw would go to the opposition.

Two other items have been added to the laws after successful trials in Major League Soccer in recent seasons.

A substituted player must leave the field within 10 seconds, and if they fail to do so their replacement will not be immediately able to come on. Their team must play with one fewer player for at least 60 seconds and until the ball next goes out.

Players who go off injured will also have to stay off for an extended period – doubling the Premier League’s 30-second regulation to one minute.

Fifa had trialled two minutes – also used in MLS – in the Arab Cup in December, but leagues had concerns about unintended consequences such as a player having to leave the field when injured and their team conceding a goal.

There will be exemptions, including when the opposition player has been booked or sent off, if a substitution is being made, or if the player is to take a penalty.

The law will not apply to goalkeepers, and no solution was agreed for the ‘tactical timeout’ that has been seen as a scourge of the modern game.

Ifab technical panels have discussed the issue at length, but there is no common ground on an effective solution.

A proposal to take an outfield player off was proposed but rejected. It was felt that could cause an injured goalkeeper not to seek treatment for fear of hampering their team.

Ifab decided trials should be conducted to further assess the issue and to propose options as a deterrent.