Handballs



IFAB, the international football laws arbiter, changed the handball law this summer so that contact no longer has to be deliberate, and UEFA will apply that as well as the ‘natural silhouette’ in the Champions League.

In English competitions, the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) has decided to retain the old interpretation as some feared attackers might deliberately target defenders’ stray hands.

However, a free-kick will now be awarded if an attacker handles the ball while scoring or setting up a goal, or the ball strikes an arm that is above the shoulder or positioned to make a barrier to a pass or shot.

Drop balls and goal-kicks

On a drop-ball, the team that last touched it will be handed possession, unless the incident takes place in the goal area, in which case the ball will be given to the goalkeeper.

At goal-kicks or free-kicks, the ball will be considered in play as soon as it is touched, and not, as previously, only when it has left the penalty area.

Encroachment by players before the ball left the 18-yard box happened regularly as Chelsea played the ball out from the back last season, and retakes were frequent. Pressure on goalies and defenders is now likely to increase, and fast attacking players could reap the benefit.

However, attackers may no longer mingle with a defensive wall at set-pieces but must stay one metre away or risk conceding an indirect free-kick.