Goalkeepers will not be booked for encroaching off their line during a penalty shoot-out during the knockout rounds of the tournament in France
Women's World Cup goalkeepers will not be booked if they move off their line during a penalty shoot-out, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has confirmed.
The new ruling, which sees a penalty retaken if a goalkeeper does not keep two feet on the goal line, has been tested during the tournament in France.
It has caused controversy, with the use of VAR meaning goalkeepers have been penalised, and then booked, for moving a matter of inches only moments before spot-kicks have been taken.
Scotland's Lee Alexander was the latest culprit, with her slight encroachment costing Shelley Kerr's side a place in the knockout rounds when Argentina fought back to draw 3-3 on Wednesday.
The rule has drawn much criticism, though, with England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley among those to speak out against it, and the Premier League confirmed VAR will not be used to check for such an offence by goalkeepers next term.
And while the IFAB stands by the new law, the body approved FIFA's request to stop an automatic yellow card being issued to the goalkeepers should they break the rule during a penalty shoot-out.
"The IFAB board of directors today approved a request from FIFA for a temporary dispensation relating to Kicks from the Penalty Mark (KFPM) in Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019," a statement read.
"The IFAB fully supports goalkeepers being penalised for not conforming with the Laws of the Game and gaining an unfair advantage.
"However, for any KFPM during the knockout stages of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 in France, a temporary dispensation has been given to FIFA from the requirement to caution a goalkeeper who is penalised for an offence which results in a kick being retaken."
Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA's refereeing committee, meanwhile, feels the implementation of the new rule has been correct.
"We discussed this matter with players and coaches and eventually decided to help goalkeepers by allowing them to have only one foot on the goal line instead of two," Collina said.
"Since that change their job is definitely easier than before, and it is also easier for them to respect the current law than the previous version. Then, if a law exists, referees must enforce it.
"For factual decisions, the number of centimetres doesn't matter. If a ball is over the goal line by few centimetres, a goal must be still awarded. And if a foul is committed within the penalty area by few centimetres, a penalty kick must be given."
knackered
69
Like I said. VAR isn’t really the problem. The problem is 1) The Rules that have Been changed, have not been tested 2) They are being tested at the WOMENS WORLD CUP. 3) No player, No coach, No Ref, not even the rule makers were ready for it at this World Cup.
Phoesha
55
Although I agree with this change to not give a yellow card to the gk, it just shows the sad state of affairs that rules and discipline are being altered mid-tournament!!
dangerou
54
No, keeper off the line is normally considered as serious as feinting so it’s a retake if saved. Feinting being the more serious offence and therefore no retake, is, for instance, when the taker feints and a defending player had encroached into the box.
Jackys
53
If the Scotland/Argentina game should be replayed, what will you say about the France/Nigeria match? Double standard in your opinion sir.
planning
48
Correct decision - penalty shoot-out is a competition in its own right. Match play penalties are awarded to a team deprived of a goal-scoring opportunity and goalkeepers moving off their line is a further blatant attempt to deprive the penalty taker of a goal-scoring opportunity.
barontabuda
45
Scotland has come and show us some good football.little(8) and nier(9) made me to support the team.but for injustice was done when they played Japan.Japan was given a no penalty and Scotland denied a clear penalty.var should not be discriminatory.it hurts so much because it costs coaches job and rob our eyes.
iinsomnia
39
What happens if both the goalkeeper comes off their line and the kicker commits a yellow card offence, and the kick is missed? No caution for the keeper means they taker has committed a more serious offence therefore no retake...