Collina: New Football Rule to Cut Time Wasting | Olé

FIFA to Trial “Sin Bin” Rule in Arab Cup to Combat Time Wasting

New regulation will see players forced off the pitch for two minutes after receiving medical attention, unless a foul warrants a card.

In a bold move to address growing concerns over time-wasting tactics in football, FIFA will trial a new rule during the upcoming Arab Cup in Qatar, running from December 1 to 18. The regulation, announced by Pierluigi Collina, the president of the FIFA Referees commission, mandates that any player requiring medical attention must leave the field for an estimated two minutes before re-entering, forcing their team to play with 10 players during that period.

Did you know? – The Arab cup is a regional football tournament contested by Arab nations. It’s organized by the Arab Football Association and held every four years under FIFA’s auspices, serving as a warm-up for major events.

The initiative, frist considered for future implementation, gained momentum following a decision by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to implement it immediately in the Arab Cup tournament.Collina explained that the rule is designed to calculate the “effective time” a team plays shorthanded when a player receives treatment. “When a player is injured and medical personnel enter the field,they must come out and stay out for a certain amount of time,which could be two minutes. During that time, the team will play with one less player,” he stated in an interview with the Al Hakam program on Al Kass sports.

Exceptions to the rule will be made in cases where the opposing player involved in the tackle receives a yellow card or is sent off. Goalkeepers are also exempt from the two-minute removal requirement. This nuanced approach aims to discourage cynical fouls designed to disrupt play while still addressing the issue of prolonged stoppages for perceived or exaggerated injuries.

Pro tip: – Teams may adjust their substitution strategies. Expect managers to be more proactive with changes to mitigate the impact of a player being temporarily removed for treatment.

Collina emphasized that the decision was motivated by a desire to eliminate fake injuries and intentional attempts to slow down the game. He pointed to the successful implementation of the new eight-second rule for goalkeepers – which penalizes keepers holding the ball for longer than eight seconds with an indirect free kick – as a positive precedent. “IFAB and FIFA are thinking about carrying out experiments to make football more beautiful, exciting and enjoyable for both the spectator and all parties,” Collina said.”I have noticed that since July 1, no one has been penalized [under the goalkeeper rule].They understood that the rule had to be respected and it has brought great benefits.From here comes another experience that I believe will be respected and useful against simulations.”

Arab Cup 2025: Group Stage Breakdown

The 2025 Arab Cup will feature 16 teams divided into four groups:

• Group A: Qatar, Tunisia, Syria, Palestine
• Group B: Morocco, Saudi arabia, Oman, Comoros
• Group C: Egypt, Jordan, United Arab emirates, Kuwait
• Group D: Algeria, Iraq, Bahrain, Sudan

The top two teams from each group will advance to a knockout stage consisting of quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final match to be held at the lusail Stadium on december 18. Algeria is the current champion, having won the competition in 2021, which is held every four years under the auspices of FIFA.

Reader question: – Do you think this rule will truly deter time-wasting, or will teams find new ways to exploit the system? What are your thoughts?

The introduction of this new rule represents a significant step towards addressing a long-standing issue in football. The trial in the Arab Cup will provide valuable data and insights for FIFA to assess its effectiveness and potential for wider implementation in future competitions