IFAB: "Associations will be allowed more freedom to modify the organisational Laws of the Game"

"In a groundbreaking move, it was also agreed that member associations will be allowed more freedom to modify the organisational Laws of the Game. This could, for example, see more substitutions allowed and the duration of play altered in order to help develop domestic football by encouraging more people to take part. This would occur at levels below the first team of clubs in the top domestic league, or senior 'A' international games," announced FIFA, on 03/03/2017, at the end of the 131^st Annual General Meeting of the IFAB at Wembley Stadium in London (ENG).

"The IFAB, which consists of the football associations of England (The FA), Scotland (SFA), Wales (FAW) and Northern Ireland (IFA), as well as FIFA (who represent the 207 remaining national associations) decided upon a close focus on the behaviour of players on the pitch. In particular, this could see the responsibilities of captains enhanced in order to improve on-field behaviour and create better communication between players and referees. Methods to tackle time wasting were also discussed, in response to continuing fan…