The International Football Association Board to become an independent association

The IFAB (International Football Association Board, the body that governs the laws of the game) "is now officially registered as an independent association under the Swiss Civil Code, with its own statutes that define the purpose, structure and responsibilities of the board and its bodies," said FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), on the 01/13/2014.

A signing ceremony was held at FIFA's headquarters, on the 13/01/2014.

The ceremony marked the creation of "two new advisory panels - a technical panel and a football panel - which will include different stakeholders from across the world of football to support the IFAB with greater expertise before decisions are passed," said FIFA. "This will improve the consultative process, with the panel members providing a wider understanding of how football is being played globally."

The composition of these panels will be confirmed at the next annual general meeting on the 01/03/2014, in Zurich

The new IFAP panels:

• Technical panel: 14 experts working on refereeing and technical issues.
• Football panel: 20 former players…