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      Major change to offside rule with no more toenail decisions under Arsene Wenger’s new proposed shake-up

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      TOENAIL offsides are set to be eradicated in a proposed shake-up of football laws.Arsene Wenger and refs’ chief David Elleray are behind the rule change to be discussed by the International FA Board today.A new shake-up to get rid of toenail offsides is set to be introducedCredit: GettyPlenty of very tight goals have been chalked off by marginal offsidesCredit: YouTube / The Emirates FA CupIt would see the offside line determined by the upper torso of attacking and defending players. SunSport revealed in 2020 how former Arsenal boss Wenger, now Fifa’s head of global football development, was pushing for a ‘daylight’ rule.That would mean players are deemed onside if any part of their body overlapped the last defender.But Wenger and other Ifab chiefs agree such a system would balance offside calls too far in favour of the attacking side.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd trials for this new upper torso law have taken place over the past five years.The new idea will make offside calls easy to be determined — whether it is in the Prem or on park pitches.And it is likely to be endorsed at today’s meeting in Belfast, where video reviews and editing the six-second goalkeeper limit are also on the agenda.SunSport has been told Ifab is ready to endorse formal trials from as soon as next season.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd a new offside law could potentially be introduced within three years.The development comes as Semi-Automated Offside Technology was used in English football for the first time in Aston Villa’s FA Cup tie with Cardiff last night. Fans left stunned at worst VAR offside line in history as they joke ‘absolutely NOT rigged’ – but all is not as it seemsIt incorporates 30 special high-speed cameras and will be introduced for the last nine weeks of the Prem season.Ifab members will today also bring in-stadium referee announcements of VAR decisions into law.Offsides could be judged on the upper torso to make it easier to determineCredit: BBCSemi-Automated Offside Technology is now being tested in EnglandCredit: UefaIn-stadium referee announcements of VAR decisions are also coming into the lawbookCredit: Sky Sports More

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      Football lawmakers considering HUGE rule change which could have major impact on goalkeepers

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      FOOTBALL lawmakers are considering a huge rule change which could have a major impact on time-wasting goalkeepers.As things stand, under the current iteration of the laws, goalkeepers are permitted to hold the ball in their hands for six seconds.Major changes could come in regarding how long goalkeepers can hold the ball for – and the punishment for breaching itCredit: GettyReferees may have to count down the final five seconds on their handCredit: AlamyIn reality, though, the rule is very rarely – if ever – enforced.In many matches, goalkeepers will often be seen holding the ball for 20 seconds or even longer – especially to wind down the clock towards the end.There are two reasons why the six-second rule is hardly pulled up on.Firstly, after six seconds, goalkeepers are often still surrounded by opposition players – especially at set pieces.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd secondly, the punishment of an indirect free-kick in the penalty area seemed disproportionate to the crime. Now, though, plans are “progressing positively” towards a shake-up of the legislation.In the new version of the rule, the length of time a goalkeeper can hold the ball in his hands would increase from six seconds to eight seconds.There would also be the introduction of a five-second countdown on the referee’s hand to signal publicly how long the goalkeeper has left to release the ball. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd the final edit would be surrounding the sanctions.The indirect free-kick inside the area would be scrapped.How Man Utd could clinch a win in Fulham FA Cup clash – Expert’s best bets | Weekend WagerInstead, the possibility of a throw-in or a corner to the opposition team is being discussed. A trial is taking place this season in the Premier League 2 with the eight-second rule and corners awarded, with another trial in Malta.And the feedback to Ifab – the International Football Association Board, who oversee the laws of football – is said to be positive.A change to the rules is unlikely to come into effect for the 2025-26 season.So it is expected there will be another season of trials with the suggestion it could come in for 2026-27.TOE NO-GO IN OFFSIDE REJIGEXCLUSIVE by MARTIN LIPTONTOENAIL offsides are set to be eradicated in a proposed shake-up of football laws.Arsene Wenger and refs’ chief David Elleray are behind the rule change to be discussed by the International FA Board today.It would see the offside line determined by the upper torso of attacking and defending players. SunSport revealed in 2020 how former Arsenal boss Wenger, now Fifa’s head of global football development, was pushing for a ‘daylight’ rule, meaning players would be deemed onside if any part of their body overlapped the last defender.Trials have taken place over the past five years, with Wenger and other Ifab chiefs agreeing such a system would balance offside calls too far in favour of the attacking side.The new idea, likely to be endorsed at today’s meeting in Belfast, will make offside calls easy to be determined — whether it is in the Prem or on park pitches.SunSport has been told Ifab is ready to endorse formal trials from as soon as next season, with potentially a new offside law introduced within three years.The development comes as Semi-Automated Offside Technology was used in English football for the first time in Aston Villa’s FA Cup tie with Cardiff last night. It incorporates 30 special high-speed cameras and will be introduced for the last nine weeks of the Prem season.Ifab members will today also bring in-stadium referee announcements of VAR decisions into law.JUST NOT ON… OR OFFIfab will meet in Belfast on Saturday for their annual general meeting – with video support systems and updates to the offside rule also on the agenda.Video support enables coaches to challenge referee decisions – similar to tennis or cricket – and the referee can then watch the video back of their decision and uphold the original or overrule their call. The format, designed for competitions that do not have the capabilities for VAR, has been tested in Fifa’s Women’s Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups.The offside rule update could give greater advantage to attacking players.READ MORE SUN STORIESArsene Wenger – Fifa’s chief of global football development – had advocated the ‘daylight’ rule, which has been trialled in U18s football in Italy, but that is understood to give too much advantage to attackers because it requires any part of the attacker’s body being level with the second-last defender.Instead, a new concept looking at the upper torso is set to be introduced, SunSport revealed. Another update to the offside law could also come into force with the ‘daylight’ ruleCredit: Getty More

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      What is semi-automated offside and how will the technology be used in FA Cup 5th round?

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      THE FA Cup fifth round will create history in English football, as semi-automated offsides will be used for the first time.Seven of the eight FA Cup fifth round fixtures will use the new technology, aiming to speed up the VAR offside decision-making process.VAR will introduce the new system, after already introducing in-stadium announcements in the Carabao CupCredit: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty ImagesManchester United are the current holders of the FA CupCredit: Marc Aspland The TimesPreston vs Burnley will not use the technology, as the new system will only be used in Premier League grounds.The system has already seen success in competitions such as the World Cup, Champions League, Serie A and La Liga.What is semi-automated offside?The semi-automated offside technology uses tracking cameras to help referees know when a player is offside.The technology will help eliminate long wait times in games with VAR, as it will flag when players are offside rather than spending long periods of time drawing lines on still images.Read more FA CupCameras around the ground will track players during the game, and if at any point during a key moment, such as a penalty or red card, a player is offside, the VAR will be sent an alert.It is a similar concept to the semi-automated offsides seen in the World Cup 2022 and the Champions League.However, Tony Scholes, Premier League chief football officer, has said the Premier League have been developing a different system.FA Cup fifth round drawPreston vs Burnley is the only game not using the new technology, as the rest of the ties take place in Premier League grounds.Most read in FA CupThe full draw is available here:Aston Villa vs Cardiff – Fri, Feb 28 – 8pm GMT – ITV1Crystal Palace vs Milwall – Sat, Mar 1 – 12:15pm GMT – BBC OnePreston vs Burnley – Sat, Mar 1 – 12:15pm GMT – BBC iPlayerBournemouth vs WolvesManchester City vs Plymouth – Sat, Mar 1 – 5:45pm GMT – ITV4Newcastle v Brighton – Sun, Mar 2 – 1:45pm GMT – ITV1Man United vs Fulham, Sun, Mar 2 – 4:30pm GMT – BBC OneNottingham Forest vs Ipswich – Mon, Mar 3 – 7:30pm GMT – ITV4 More

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      David Coote slapped with lengthy Uefa ban for bringing the sport of football into disrepute

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      DAVID COOTE has been banned from officiating by Uefa until 2026.Coote, 42, had already been sacked by the PGMOL in December following a “thorough investigation” into his conduct.David Coote has been banned by UefaCredit: GettyNow Uefa have hit him with a ban of their own, effective immediately and running until June 30, 2026.Uefa revealed that Coote has been banned for “bringing the sport of football, and Uefa in particular, into disrepute”, as well as “violating the basic rules of decent conduct”.The European football governing body opened an investigation into Coote following The Sun’s exclusive video of Coote snorting a white power while on duty at Euro 2024.Coote’s ban means he can no longer officiate in the Nations League, Champions League, Europa League or Uefa Conference League.READ MORE ON DAVID COOTEWhile, despite him already being sacked, Uefa’s jurisdiction over the English leagues means he won’t be able to officiate in the Premier League either. Coote was initially suspended by the PGMOL following a video emerging online of the referee calling then-Liverpool manager a “German c***”.Paul Field, chairman of the ­Referees’ Association, had said he hoped Coote is able to remain in English football.He said: “The work he does with young people is exemplary. He’s an unbelievable tutor. He puts so much time and effort into the up-and-coming grassroots officials.Most read in FootballVideo emerged showing Coote snorting a white powder“I’d love him to be part of the FA, training, mentoring, out of the public light to look after himself. He has so much to offer.”While Coote himself had said he would like to return to officiating in some form.Scandal-hit Premier League ref David Coote SACKED after videos emerged of anti-Klopp rant and snorting white powderHe added: “Whether it would be with a whistle in my hand would be another matter. Certainly not for me to judge. “But in terms of utilising my experience I hope there is an opportunity to do so in some way.”In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Coote revealed that he is gay – suggesting that hiding his sexuality is one of the contributing factors to his actions.He said : “My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position.”But I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay, and that I’ve had real struggles dealing with hiding that.”Coote was also subject to an investigation over allegations related to bookings given to Leeds United’s Ezgjan Alioski in the 2019/20 Championship campaign.It was claimed that Coote has discussed the possibility of showing Alioski a yellow card with a third party before the game.However, it is understood that Coote accepts a discussion took place, but claims it was only “banter” and nothing improper took place.Coote maintained his innocence on the matter in a statement and claimed he has always held the “integrity of the game in the highest regard”.A statement read: “Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life they have never affected my decision-making on the field.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability.”Coote told The Sun he is gay in an exclusive interviewCredit: Louis Wood News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Major upgrade to VAR coming TONIGHT with Semi-Automated Offside Technology installed at Premier League clubs

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      VILLA PARK will tonight see the launch of English football’s VAR upgrade.Premier League chiefs plan to roll out the use of Semi-Automated Offside Technology across the remainder of the season.Villa Park will see the launch of English football’s VAR upgradeCredit: The FAThe new VAR system uses up to 30 specialist high-speed cameras to track 10,000 data points on every playerCredit: The FABut the new system, which uses up to 30 specialist high-speed cameras to track 10,000 data points on every player, will be debuted across all but one of this weekend’s eight FA Cup fifth-round ties.And it starts with Aston Villa’s clash with Cardiff.Unlike the top-flight’s current VAR system, where operators manually determine the ‘kick point’ for offside calls and then draw lines, SAOT will do both automatically.It is expected the system, devised by the Prem’s new tech partner, US-based Genesis Sport, will reduce even tight decision times to an average of 30 seconds.Read More on FootballThe Genesis system will then send a 3D visual replay to broadcasters and the giant screens in stadiums, to ensure fans know why the call was made.A white vertical wall will represent the offside line, with a blue ‘pulse’ on the defender’s relevant body part.And when an attacker is offside, the offending part of their body will appear through the white wall and be outlined in red.The final image in the virtual replay will be on an angle, off-centre.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThat is to provide a clear view of the attacker and defender involved in the offside review.SAOT will only be installed at Prem grounds.Everton boss David Moyes gives his reaction to disallowed penalty against Man Utd That means the tie between Preston and Burnley will only use the current VAR systemVilla and Cardiff’s FA Cup clash kicks off at 8pm. More

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      Liverpool boss Arne Slot BANNED over Merseyside derby chaos as he’s set to miss crunch Premier League matches

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      LIVERPOOL boss Arne Slot has been handed a two-match touchline ban following his Merseyside derby red card earlier this month.The Dutchman, 46, was sent off by referee Michael Oliver after the final whistle following a frenetic 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.Arne Slot was sent off at the end of the Merseyside derbyCredit: ReutersThe Dutchman had spoken to Michael Oliver at the end of the gameCredit: GettySlot subsequently admitted he had let “emotions get the better of me” after what was understood to be a four-letter blast at both officials following Everton’s stoppage-time equaliser and suggested he would act “differently” in future.And after admitting a charge of “improper conduct” at an independent FA disciplinary hearing Slot has now been given the two match suspension and fined £70,000.Assistant Sipke Hulshoff has also accepted a similar charge and will serve a two-match touchline ban alongside Slot, beginning tonight.Slot has continued to be on the touchline for Liverpool’s subsequent games against Wolves, Aston Villa and Manchester City, due to the FA taking time to examine the referee’s report.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut he will now begin his ban for this evening’s Anfield clash with Newcastle.Slot will return to the touchline for the Champions League match-up with Paris Saint-Germain next Wednesday, due to it being a Uefa competition and thus not being included in the FA’s suspension.He and Hulshoff will then serve the second game of their touchline bans for Liverpool’s home match with Southampton on March 8.While Reds boss has been fined £70k, Hulshoff will have to pay £7,000.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSFormer Everton star Johnny Heitinga will take charge of LiverpoolCredit: PA:Empics SportAn FA spokesman added: “The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for these sanctions will be published in due course.”Should the decision have been delayed a further 24 hours, Slot’s two-match ban would have seen him missing the Carabao Cup final.Liverpool boss Arne Slot breaks silence on red card controversy and mystery over ban His first Prem game back on the touchline will be the Reds’ homne reverse fixture against Everton.In Slot and Hulshoff’s temporary absence, former Everton star Johnny Heitinga, who is now a first team coach at Anfield, will take charge of Liverpool’s next two Prem games.Slot’s red card followed a chaotic ending to the last Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park.James Tarkowski dramatically thumped home a 98th minute equaliser.Following the final whistle, Curtis Jones took issue with Doucoure celebrating in front of the Liverpool supporters.The midfielder angrily confronted Doucoure, yanking his shirt before Ashley Young and Carlos Alcaraz attempted to intervene.Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister then stepped in, before several more players and even policemen got involved.Jones and Doucoure both received red cards for their roles in the ruckus from referee Oliver.Liverpool have been fined £50,000 for failing to control their players, with Everton made to pay £65,000 for the same offence.Since the incident, Liverpool have taken huge strides towards the title.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey subsequently beat Wolves 2-1, before grabbing a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.On Sunday they defeated defending champions Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad, profiting on Arsenal’s home loss to West Ham to move 11 points clear at the top.Curtis Jones furiously clashed with Abdoulaye DoucoureCredit: ReutersThe incident sparked a huge ruckusCredit: PA More

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      Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez fined for ‘violating’ MLS rules in opening match of Inter Miami’s season

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      LIONEL Messi and Luis Suarez have both been FINED for “violating” a little known MLS rule.The Inter Miami duo were hit with an undisclosed fine for their actions during a 2-2 draw with New York City FC in Saturday’s season opener.Messi has been fined for grabbing the neck of a New York City assistant coachTeam-mate Luis Suarez has also been fined for violating the same MLS policy earlier in the matchMessi has been punished for grabbing the neck of a New York City assistant coach during a post-match war of words.The World Cup winner was heading off the pitch before turning to confront coach Mehdi Ballouchy after the final whistle.Messi appeared agitated as the pair went back and forth, before the Argentine briefly rested his hand on Ballouchy’s neck, who pulled away from the superstar.The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner began walking away, before turning around to hold onto the back of Ballouchy’s neck for a second time.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSMessi had initially fumed at referee Rosendo Mendoza at full-time, and was handed a post-match yellow card on his way down the tunnel for his outburst. Ballouchy then appeared to say something to the Inter Miami captain, sparking to a fiery exchange between the pair.Team-mate Luis Suarez has also been fined for violating the same MLS policy earlier in the match.Suarez pinched the back of Norwegian defender Birk Risa’s neck in an incident at half-time. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe precise amount each player was fined is unclear.The MLS said in a statement that their disciplinary committee had ruled that the former Barcelona stars had violated the league’s “hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy.”Lionel Messi finally puts ‘cold Tuesday night in Stoke’ theory to bed by running the show in -17 degrees temperatures Messi had just set-up a stoppage time equaliser for team-mate Telasco Segovia in the 2-2 draw at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadim.He also assisted Tomas Aviles’ early goal before the latter was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Aviles dragged down NYC FC forward Alonso Martinez from behind as he was in on the goalkeeper.It comes after a referee in charge of Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions League opener was disciplined after asking for Messi’s shirt after their game against Sporting KC.Messi scored the winning goal in their first leg, a 1-0 win that was played in frigid, single-digit temperatures in Kansas City.Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava was reportedly slapped with a six-month ban after asking Messi for his autograph, according to The Mail. More

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      Controversial moment Euro giants ‘give away penalty by throwing second ball on to pitch’ in never-before-seen blunder

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      PANATHINAIKOS ace Daniel Mancini may have committed the biggest blunder of the year, and ended his team’s title hopes.Mancini, 28, and his team-mates visited bottom-of-the-league Lamia on Sunday in a match where the Greek giants needed the three points to maintain pressure on bitter rivals Olympiacos at the top.Panathinaikos ace Daniel Mancini may have committed the biggest gaffe of the yearCredit: RexMancini thought the ball went out for a throw-in against LamiaBut it was still in play as it never went over the line so Gustavo Furtado chased after itThe Panathinaikos ace Mancini kicked another ball onto the pitchAs per a rather unknown rule, that led to a penalty for Lamia who sealed a 3-1 winRui Vitoria’s side endured a horrendous start that saw them conceding after just four minutes by ex-Reading and Aston Villa ace Aaron Tshibola.Panathinaikos equalised on 72 minutes with Filip Djuricic but Lamia fought back and regained the lead just six minutes later with Gustavo Furtado, who used to play for the visitors.The Athens outfit pushed hard for another equaliser but disaster struck three minutes before full-time.Ex-Grimsby Town ace Sebastian Ring tried to find Furtado with a through ball.Read More on FootballMancini, who was playing out of position at right-back thought the ball went out for a free throw.But Ring signalled towards Furtado that the ball was surprisingly still in play as it never went over the line, while the Panathinaikos ace was getting ready for the throw-in the referee never awarded.Furtado gained possession and broke into the box with his marker completely oblivious to what was happening.The Lamia star tried to beat goalkeeper Bartlomiej Drągowski from a tight angle but the Poland international denied him.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHowever, Mancini’s woes were about to become much worse as, for some reason, he decided to kick another ball into play before Furtado’s shot.Referee Angelos Evangelou stopped the match and awarded the hosts a penalty, as per the rules, before booking the winger.EFL goalkeeper concedes ‘most embarrassing goal ever seen’ as fans fume ‘get him off that pitch now’ Furtado took spot kick and beat Dragowski to seal only Lamia’s second win of the season.The rules state that if another ball or object is thrown onto the pitch by another player then the referee awards a set piece for the opposing team at the spot where it landed.Because the ball was thrown inside the Panathinaikos area, where the action was taking place, the ref awarded a penalty.Two years ago, Valencia got away with a similar piece of ‘s***housery’ against Real Madrid.As Vinicius Jr approached the hosts’ penalty area, a defender kicked a second ball against the one he was dribbling with before the Brazilian could enter the box.Furtado enjoyed quite the redemption as he was offloaded by Panathinaikos last year after going viral in a clip showing him chasing after the B team’s bus, which forgot about him and almost left him behind.PAO are now third in the table with eight points separating them from the top. More