The major football laws that have changed over the years

Football laws have evolved over the years with some major changes by the world governing body FIFA. 

Some of the football laws have been introduced but changed following criticism from stakeholders. 

In recent times goal line technologies and Video assistant referee (VAR) have been an integral part of the modern game. 

But the efficiency of VAR has raised eyebrows as it still receives criticism in terms of how it’s used. Over the years, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has also been introduced to determine the Laws of the Game. 

FARPost takes a look at some of the major and minor changes that have been embraced or even criticized but have had an impact on the game. 

Golden Goal

It was Introduced in the 1990s  by FIFA with the hope that it would promote attacking football in extra-time. The rule was to score the first goal in extra-time and win the game.

But the rule received huge criticism with the way it was designed. It was scrapped in 2004. 

Goalkeeper restrictions 

The football lawmakers decided that keepers shouldn’t be able to handle the ball wherever they like. In 1912 it was decided keepers could only use their hands in the 18-yard box. 

Offside 

In 1925, the offside rule was changed. An attacker would be called offside if positioned in front of the third-last defender. But that was changed in 1925 when the two-player rule was introduced. You were now deemed onside if there were two players between you and the goalkeeper instead of three. 

In 1990 an attacker was no longer ruled offside when they were level with the last defender.

The backpass rule 

The backpass rule was abolished in 1992. Players would waste time between themselves and goalkeepers by passing it between them until the rule was abolished. 

The six second rule

Before the year 2000, there was a four-step rule which indicated that a goalkeeper could only take four steps holding the ball before he could kick it. But that was abolished after the six seconds brought in. But it is not often that goalkeepers are punished for this rule.

RELATED STORY: SAFA referees suspended for match-fixing approach FIFA