The game of football is constantly evolving and it's rules constantly changing.

And, from next season, it's set to change quite a bit.

The International FA Board (IFAB) met this weekend in Aberdeen to vote on a number of rules changes.

As a result of the meeting they have announced a number of changes will come in to effect from the 2019/20 season.

A selection of the most important changes have been listed below:

1) Accidental handball goals won't stand

Goals scored which have hit a player's hand, deliberate or not, will no longer stand.

"On the topic of defining handball, a decision was taken by the IFAB to provide a more precise and detailed definition for what constitutes handball, in particular with regard to the occasions when a non-deliberate/accidental handball will be penalised," read an IFAB statement, per the Evening Standard.

"For example a goal scored directly from the hand/arm (even if accidental) and a player scoring or creating a goal-scoring opportunity after having gained possession/control of the ball from their hand/arm (even if accidental) will no longer be allowed."

IFAB technical director David Elleray told Press Association Sport: "This is a case where the law is catching up with what football expects to happen.

"When Neymar's goal in the 2015 Champions League final was disallowed because he headed the ball on to his arm, everyone agreed that that was the right decision.

"Everybody that is apart from about 100 referees, who were correct in claiming the goal should not have been ruled out because it was accidental handball.

"The previous ruling said handball was a deliberate action and the law has been rewritten to reflect what is already happening in football."

2) Substituted players can leave the field anywhere

Currently, all players being substituted off the field are required to exit the pitch at the half-way line.

But from next season, players will be required to leave the field at the nearest point to stop time-wasting.

3) No attacking players in the wall

At free-kicks, attacking players often position themselves in the wall to try and disrupt the defence.

From next season there will be a one-metre exclusion zone around the defensive wall.

"It leads to confrontation as the attacking players try to force a gap in the wall and delays the free-kick because the referee has to stop all the pushing and shoving," Elleray said.

4) Coaches will receive cards

Currently, coaches only receive verbal warnings for misconduct.

According to Sky Sports, from next season, referees will be able to give coaching staff yellow and red cards.

The EFL adopted a similar rule last year, where managers can also receive a one-game suspension.

5) Other changes

There have been changes to the dropped ball procedure. A dropped ball will now be awarded in certain situations when the ball hits the referee.

And goalkeepers will be required to only have one foot on the goal-line when facing penalties.

What do you think of the changes? Have your say by leaving a comment below.

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