According to the legendary referee, changes to the rules, including the five-second limit for goal kicks and throw-ins, as well as the strict ten-second rule for substitutions, have altered the pace of the game. “These measures have all been very effective,” Collina said. He also noted that only one substitute failed to meet the ten-second time limit throughout the 72 group stage matches.
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Referee Pierluigi Collina: FIFA's new anti-time-wasting regulations have been a resounding success. Photo: Sun Times |
Under FIFA's new regulations, if a substituted player doesn't leave the field within 10 seconds, the substitute can only enter the field during the first halftime break after the game resumes for one minute. Therefore, in World Cup 2026 matches, substituted players often run towards the touchline to leave the field as quickly as possible, even if their team is leading.
Meanwhile, the five-second rule was violated a total of 15 times: 4 times for goal kicks resulting in corner kicks and 11 times for throw-ins that reversed possession.
Referee Collina added that the new rules, which require injured players needing treatment to leave the field for one minute after the game resumes, have helped reduce the number of injuries. “The number of injured players has decreased significantly and there are very few cases requiring medical intervention,” he said.
“Furthermore, overall, the players’ conduct so far has been very good, with only one player and one coach receiving yellow cards for protesting a referee’s decision. Of the 10 red cards issued so far, six were for obstructing clear scoring opportunities and only one for covering one’s mouth with a hand during a challenge with an opponent,” Collina added.
Miguel Almiron of Paraguay became the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth during on-field confrontations, and the midfielder received a one-match suspension.
Referee Collina also explained why VAR intervened and disallowed Jonathan Tah's extra-time goal for Germany , after Waldemar Anton was deemed to have fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the preceding play. Germany's head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, was visibly angry on the bench and received a yellow card for protesting, but Collina stated that coaches had been informed of the new rules. “When an attacking player is not interested in the ball and deliberately moves, even if only slightly, with the clear intention of hindering the opponent's movement and preventing them from defending, then the referee and VAR, when necessary, should carefully analyze the situation and intervene. This is especially true for tactics aimed at preventing the opposing goalkeeper from defending the goal,” Collina said.
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/the-thao/worldcup-2026/hanh-vi-cau-gio-da-het-dat-song-1047117
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