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There are so many rules that govern the game of football that newbies can sometimes be completely overwhelmed, especially when it comes to the offside rule.But there are some laws of the game that are not enforced fully enough. Whether that’s right or wrong is for another day, but here are 5 of them that most certainly taken for granted.
#1 The 6 second rule
In the 2012 Summer Olympics semifinal game, when referee Christiana Pedersen blew the whistle and awarded an indirect free kick to the United States team citing that Canada’s goalkeeper held the ball in her possession for more than 6 seconds, it became a very big controversy. But the referee was well within her rights to make that call as Law 12 states that “a goalkeeper is not permitted to keep control of the ball in his hands for more than six seconds.”
However, almost all associations agree that this was not meant to be strictly reinforced, and as long as the referee deems that the goalkeeper is making a sincere effort to release the ball, there is no need to strictly enforce the 6 second rule.
Also, it needs to be remembered that the six seconds are to be counted only after the goalkeeper is fully in control of the ball as most often they would disentangling themselves from opposition players and it wouldn’t be fair to start counting at that time.
#2 Shirt pulling in the box
Shirt pulling inside the box is rarely ever given a penalty, and even more surprisingly, there is not enough hue and cry when referees wave away any protests from players about such fouls being committed on them.
Per Mertesacker was lucky enough to have been awarded a penalty when his shirt was grabbed in the box, but that hardly ever happens. At best, referees give a warning to the offending player, and at worst, they completely ignore it.
Holding a player is a bookable offence, for unsporting behaviour, and tugging at an opposition player’s shirt certainly counts as one. And in the box, it is a penalty. However, referees rarely blow the whistle for this and opposition players take full advantage of it, and deny goal scoring opportunities for the team trying to score.
#3 Throw-ins
Throw-ins are a vital part of the game and occur very frequently. But what doesn’t occur frequently enough is the strict interpretation of the position from which the throw needs to be taken.
More often than not, we see players moving forward from the position where the ball rolled out of play and try to gain advantage. In some cases, players take a running start and launch the ball well beyond the point where they’re supposed to take it from.
While it may not sound like much, it definitely gives an unfair advantage to the team that is in possession, and shouldn’t be allowed to happen.
Also, the throw needs to be taken with the ball in both hands and the action starting from behind the head and both feet firmly on the ground. Rarely do players and it is ever rarer to see referees penalise the player by giving the throw in to the opposition. It only happens in the most obvious situations.
#4 Penalty kicks
Another important event that takes place in a football game is a penalty kick. There are quite specific rules that referees need to enforce during penalty kicks.
For one, goalkeepers are not allowed to come off the line. They can move across the line and jump on the line to try and distract the penalty kick taker, but they should necessarily stay on the line.
However, there are so many instances when the goalkeeper comes off the line but referees hardly do anything about it. Granted, it makes no sense to make the kick to be taken if the goal is scored, but it definitely needs to be enforced if the goal is saved.
Another rule is that of player encroachment. Until the kick is taken, no other player from either team is allowed to encroach into the box but we see so many times where the players jump in even while the kick taker is in his run up.
If the penalty is saved, whoever gets to the ball first has a distinct advantage. So, encroachment is an offence that needs to be taken care of.
#5 Tapping up players
Buying and selling players is a part and parcel of the game. It’s a very lucrative business, for clubs, players, and most importantly agents! Since there is a lot at stake, rules sometimes do fall on the wayside.
The procedure for any club to sign a player who is under contract with another club is to approach the parent club and enquire whether he is available for sale, and if they can talk to the player for a possible deal. If the parent club consents, they can go ahead with the negotiations. If not, they are not allowed to do so.
But nowadays, the media has made such a circus of the transfer window that all involved parties circumvent the rules by leaking news to the media. Therefore, there are so many speculations and rumours abound that a player gets unsettled easily and demands a transfer, forcing the parent club to sell whether they like it or not.
FIFA and other governing bodies should do more to curb such practices so that a contract can be honoured.
