[Football] What are the best law changes in the game’s history?

[Milano]

On the arguing / surrounding the ref point- I would say any time the ref is surrounded and harassed then the position of the free-kick may be changed to anywhere the attacking team wants, outside of the penalty box. It would stop the surrounding the ref problem, and if it didn't, we'd see lots more free kicks scored. Both would be great.

Lewis Dunk would be in favour of this. The people in rows M-V in the north or south stands probably less so.

1. Weirdly, offside - before my time but imagine if players were literally allowed to stand on the penalty spot or closer
2. Back pass
3. 6 second rule for the keepers..... oh

 

[Deadly Danson]

Removing bottle tops. Before then, each match was carnage.

 

[Coldeanseagull]

Var har been the big one. No mistakes, no arguments...it's made online officials obsolete
What?

 

[Muzzman]

I've always liked the 'advantage' rule, refs don't use it half as much as they should.

 

[Simster]

I've always liked the 'advantage' rule, refs don't use it half as much as they should.

It's not used enough probably because it's so badly implemented in football. In rugby a pen can be given and play allowed to continue in case there's an advantage. If not, play is then pulled back. Why can't it work like this in football?

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

On the arguing / surrounding the ref point- I would say any time the ref is surrounded and harassed then the position of the free-kick may be changed to anywhere the attacking team wants, outside of the penalty box. It would stop the surrounding the ref problem, and if it didn't, we'd see lots more free kicks scored. Both would be great.

I would add that if a player gets within punching distance of the ref, the ref should be allowed to punch them hard in the face.

 

[British Bulldog]

I'd like to see a few professional trial games where the offside rule is scrapped? If nothing else it would cut out at least 10 mins VAR delay per game?

 

[alanfp]

Best rule change - scrapping the offside rule.

It was implemented n 1998 after a successful two year trial ..... sadly only in field hockey! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offside_(field_hockey)#Offside_abolished

But I hope to see it happen in football. If you've ever watched Gaelic football you'll know how fast-flowing that game is and not having an offside rule like we have in normal football certainly doesn't make it a 'defensive' game (which I understand is the theoretical reason for the rule).

I've played 6-a-side football and that doesn't need an offside rule - I don't see why it should be any different in an 11-a-side game.

 

[Jeremiah]

I like the fact the keeper cannot pick up a back pass BUT I do not like the VAR rule that said Lewis Dunks feet may be onside but his armpit is offside therefore no goal (However I have only ever seen this rule applied at Goodison Park).

 

[Milano]

I'd like to see the offside rule changed to be penalty box only, or perhaps a new 25 yard line as I'd imagine than Haaland would literally stand on the edge of the 18 yard box for 90 minutes.
There is an art to defending and 'playing for offside', I've played in plenty a back 4 for where we've held the line or 'stepped up' at the crucial moment, however that is not what Wan Bissaka did yesterday, he got very lucky.