Women’s World Cup: see new refereeing rules – 07/19/2023 – Sport

The 2023 Women’s World Cup, which starts this Thursday (20) in New Zealand and Australia, will be the first to follow the new rules of the Ifab (International Football Association Board), the body that regulates football.

There are changes in the offside criteria, in cases of pitch invasion and even a change inspired by the behavior of Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who won the 2022 edition of the men’s tournament.

See below for an explanation of each of the new rules.

Pitch invasion during goal

The first change is about pitch invasion during a goal move.

Now, the goal should only be annulled if the attacker is part of the team that scored it (be it a substitute, a sent-off player or a member of the coaching staff) or if it is an external agent that interfered in the play.

If the attacker is part of the team that conceded the goal or if it is an external agent that did not interfere with the play, the goal must be validated.

Power to reserve assistant referees

Previously, reserve assistant referees could only take the place of assistants or fourth officials who had to be replaced.

Now, they can also contribute to arbitration in decision-making if they have a clearer view of the bid than their colleagues.

Goal celebrations and injury time

From now on, the referee may consider very long goal celebrations as a criterion for defining stoppage time.

Offside and “total control”

An attacker in an offside position will be entitled to continue playing if he receives the ball from an opponent who had “total control” of it.

There is one exception: if the ball is hit by an opposing goalkeeper and reaches a player in an offside position, the throw must be disallowed.

Furthermore, if the referee understands that the defender who touched the ball did not have “full control” of it when he passed it to the offside opponent, the offside will be called.

Red card for penalty

Under the new rule, the referee should only send off a player who has committed a penalty if he has not tried to dispute the ball at any time during the shot.

If he has tried, even without success, to stop the ball, the referee should only apply the yellow card, instead of expelling him.

Goalkeeper behavior during penalty kick

The purpose of this change is to prevent players who are going to take penalties from being distracted.

Now, goalkeepers must stay on top of the line, facing the kicker, without taking actions that could distract the opponent — not even touching the net or the goalposts.

The rule was changed due to taunts by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez during penalty shootouts at the 2022 World Cup.

Explanation of VAR decisions

The referees must now explain to the fans the decisions of the VAR (video referee) on the screen, in a succinct way, in the stadiums that have the structure for this.

Communications between the field referee and his assistants in the VAR booth remain confidential, but the final decision must be explained to the public.