SOCCER LAWS

Evening Star, Issue 23377, 21 September 1939, Page 4

SOCCER LAWS

ENGLISH ASSOCIATION ALTERATIONS OFFSIDE PLAY AND FOULS DEFINED Timely memorandum has been issued by the English Eootball Association calling attention to tho changes made in the laws of the game at the International Board meeting in Juno. Many of tho alterations are of a drafting nature, others are modifications that experience has suggested would bo an improvement. With regard to the field of play there are insertions in the laws that remedy former omissions. It is now laid down that the lines marking the pitch must not exceed Sin in width. The measurements for goals exclude the frame work, and it is provided that the leaver edge of the cross-bar must be Bft from the ground.' Goal posts and cross-bars have now specified maximum depths and widths—sin. Standard elliptical posts have been approved by tho League Management Committee, and every club must use them according to the specification issued. This will bo a big improvement. Hitherto League clubs have pleased themselves in this matter. Some have used round posts, some oval, some square, and some bevelled. There is another improvement the League clubs have decided upon. For tho first time in the 51 years’ history of tho organisation it will be obligatory for players to be numbered in all League matches. For many years I have strenuously advocated, both as a critic and as a legislator, the numbering of players G. Wagstaffo Simmons, in ‘ Sporting Life ’). It was on my initiative that a resolution dealing with numbering was placed on tho agenda of the Football League at an annual meeting. The clubs turned it down. In Auril last, at the conference of Football, League clubs in London, I submitted a resolution in favour of numbering players, but I could not persuade the clubs to make it obligatory. A long step was, however, taken by making it optional. Between then and the annual meeting of the League the Management Committee considered the matter, and they took the view that it would be a pity for some clubs to number players and others not to do so.

Accordingly, the president, after a conference with me prior to the meeting, proposed that clubs must number their players in all League matches. That was carried by a majority, and, beginning with the right hack as No. 2, each team will he numbered similarly, the outside left being No. 11.

Prior to last season Tottenham Hotspur decided to number their players in all matches except in the League. The advantages were so obvious in the London combination games and Cup ties that Tottenham’s pioneer work paved the way to the action of the League in June. Other Leagues have followed suit, and tho Football Association has decided that players must ho numbered in all F.A. Cup ties in the competition proper. To return to the laws of the game. There is a clarification of the one dealing with fouls and misconduct, and as it is so important, T give it in its entirety. Players and onlookers would do well to study it carefully.

A player shall ho penalised if he:intentionally (a) kicks, strikes, or iumps at an opponent; (bi- trips, including throwing, or attempting to throw an opponent by the use of the legs, or by stooping in front or behind him; (ol handles the hall, i.e.,' carries, strikes, or propels it with the hand or arm. (This does not apply to the goalkeeper within his own penalty area.) (dl Holds or pushes an opponent with his hand or with his arms extended from his body; (e) charges in a violent or dangerous manner, or charges an opponent from behind unless the latter bo obstructing. (N. 8.: This is not intended to penalise all charging; it is permissible so long as. in the opinion of the referee, it is fair, and is made when the hall is within playing distance of the players concerned, and they are definitely attempting to play it.) Also, if ho (f) charges a goalkeeper, except when he is holding the ball or obstructing an opponent, or when he has passed outside the goal area; (g) when playing as goalkeeper, carries the ball, i.e., takes more than four steps while holding the ball, without bouncing it on the ground; (h) joins his team after the game has commenced. or returns to the field of play while the game is in progress without reporting to the referee; (i) plays in a manner considered by the referee to he dangerous; (j) is guilty of ungentlemanly conduct. A player shall he ordered off if he (1) persists in misconduct after having received a caution ; (21 is guilty of violent conduct, that is. using foul or abusive language, or if, in the opinion of the referee, he is guilty of serious foul plnv. The offside law is the most confusing to thousands of onlookers, and it is now made much clearer by the introduction of the words that a player cannot ho offside if “ the hall last touched an opponent or was Inst played by him.” It is well. too. that the official pronouncement should he noted, that, “ if the hall be carried over tho goal line betwen the knees or ankles of an attacker it can be a goal.”

This disnoses of the claim sometimes made in the past that in these circumstances the player has been guilty of “ carryine.” and that the goal must consequently be disallowed.