Bundesliga committee to discuss FIFA rule changes on July 27; confirms 5-second limit for goal kicks and throw-ins

Hupu, July 22 – German media outlet Sport Bild reports that the German Football Association (DFB) is set to hold a key meeting on July 27 in Frankfurt to discuss potential rule changes for the upcoming Bundesliga season.

The meeting will be hosted by DFB Referees GmbH, with Managing Director Knut Kircher (57) and members of the Bundesliga "Football Committee" (formerly the German Football League, DFL) in attendance.

Committee members include:

• Max Eberl (52, Bayern Munich)
• Markus Krösche (45, Eintracht Frankfurt)
• Simon Rolfes (44, Bayer Leverkusen)
• Lars Ricken (50, Borussia Dortmund)

Key Agenda Items

FIFA World Cup Rules Under Consideration

According to Sport Bild, the committee will discuss whether to adopt certain rules introduced by FIFA for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The final decision will be made by the Bundesliga Executive Committee, led by CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke (67), based on the Football Committee's recommendation.

UEFA-Style Approach to Confrontations

The Bundesliga may follow UEFA's lead regarding player confrontations. Unlike FIFA's strict approach—which resulted in red cards for players like Paraguay's Miguel Almirón and Ecuador's Piero Hincapié for covering their mouths during disputes—UEFA referees will assess each incident on a case-by-case basis. Factors such as racial discrimination or homophobic insults may result in a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct, but not an automatic red.

UEFA also refuses to issue red cards to players who leave the field in protest.

VAR Review of Corner Kicks

One rule change expected to be adopted: corner kicks will be subject to Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review. If the on-field referee incorrectly awards a corner kick that could lead to a goal, the VAR may intervene after reviewing footage. Notably, a pre-World Cup survey of Bundesliga clubs showed opposition to VAR's final intervention on corner kick decisions.

VAR Review of Second Yellow Cards

The Bundesliga must also decide whether to support VAR review of players sent off for a second yellow card (yellow/red), as FIFA and UEFA currently do.

Confirmed Rules for the New Season

The following rules have been confirmed for implementation in the upcoming Bundesliga season:

• Goal kicks and throw-ins: Must be taken within five seconds, or possession will change. The opposing team will receive a throw-in or corner kick instead. This aims to prevent time-wasting.

• Substituted players: Must leave the field within ten seconds. If not, the substitute must wait one minute until the next stoppage in play to enter. During this time, the team will play with one fewer player. This also targets time-wasting.

• Injured players: Those who receive treatment on the field or cause a stoppage due to injury must leave the field for at least one minute. Reducing the number of players aims to prevent faking injuries to waste time.

Exceptions include:

• Goalkeeper injuries
• Injuries to players who caused a foul resulting in a yellow or red card for the opponent
• Injured players about to take a penalty

No Mandatory Cooling Breaks

Unlike the World Cup, which introduced mandatory cooling breaks midway through each half (drawing fan dissatisfaction), the Bundesliga will not adopt this practice. There are suspicions that FIFA introduced cooling breaks to increase TV advertising opportunities, effectively dividing the game into four quarters, similar to basketball.

According to the Bundesliga, whether players are allowed cooling breaks in hot weather will be "decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on the weather."

Source: Sport Bild