England Euro 2016 warm up games: Friendlies to debut new rule changes as IFAB scrap 'triple punishment'

Rule changes: England will abide by the new laws during their Euro 2016 warm-up games
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
James Olley9 May 2016

England's Euro 2016 warm-up matches will be the first high profile matches to take place under new laws implemented by The International FA Board (IFAB).

Roy Hodgson names his provisional 23-man squad for next month’s finals in France on Thursday before friendlies against Turkey in Manchester on 22 May, Australia five days later in Sunderland and finally Portugal at Wembley on June 2.

Although IFAB’s new law changes do not come into force worldwide until June 1, England have agreed in conjunction with Turkish and Australian officials to abide by the new regulations in their fixtures prior to that date.

IFAB has undertaken a significant revision of the Laws of the Game in an attempt to modernise the rulebook and clean up some of the archaic and contradictory language.

In total, 95 rule changes will be made, cutting down the handbook from just over 22,000 words to around 12,000.

The most significant change will be to punishments relating to the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO).

It will no longer be an automatic red card if a player or goalkeeper brings down an attacker as the last man. Intent will be taken into account so if a genuine attempt is made to play the ball, the referee will award a penalty and a yellow card.

The move could lead to more penalties being awarded given the removal of a so-called “triple punishment” which can so often prove decisive in matches – red card, penalty and subsequent suspension.

However, deliberate handball, serious foul challenges, holding, pulling or pushing, and not having a chance or intent to play the ball in a DOGSO incident will still merit a sending off.

Kick-offs no longer have to be taken forward, meaning one player can stand in the centre-circle and pass the ball in any direction, while free-kicks resulting from offside will now be taken from where a player first touched the ball in an offside position rather than where he was originally standing when flagged.

Players also no longer have to leave the field if they receive treatment following a yellow card or red card offence while it is now possible to be sent off before the start of play – ie for an incident in the tunnel – and in such instances that player can be replaced by another with the team naming one few substitute.

Laws regarding penalties will also be tightened up. Goalkeepers who move early off their line will be booked while takers feigning to shoot in their run-up in obvious cases of deception will be booked with no re-take allowed.

A player can also be charged with violent conduct if no contact is made with an opponent.

England Euro 2016 warm-up friendlies and group fixtures

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The rules are believed to have been met with approval by footballers past and present and although the England squad will receive information pertaining to the rule changes upon meeting up at St George’s Park, they will be given a formal briefing by IFAB Technical Director David Elleray on 25 May.

There is an appetite for further change with discussions ongoing regarding the introduction of video technology. Next week’s IFAB workshop will focus on the logistics of implementation with plans focused on match-turning incidents including goals, penalties, straight red cards and cases of mistaken identity.

England is one of 16 countries including Italy and Holland leading the fight for video technology and if sufficient progress is made, a trial could be implemented early next year.

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