The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have released the documents that show and explain the reasons behind some of the controversial decisions over the course of the opening weekend of LaLiga Santander.
They show the laws of the game from IFAB concerning areas such as handball, red cards and VAR, as well as the changes made for this season.
Modifications for 2019/20
A team official will be cautioned (YC) for entering the RRA and sent off (RC) for entering the VOR.
A player who is being substituted must leave the field at the nearest point on the boundary line, unless otherwise directed by the referee
Handball text re-written for greater clarity/consistency with clear guidelines for when 'non-deliberate' handball should (and should not) be penalised.
For defending team free kicks in their penalty area, the ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves; it does not have to leave the penalty area.
When there is a defensive 'wall' of at least three players, all attacking team players must be at least 1 metre from the wall, IDFK if they encroach.
Goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot on, or in line with, the goal line when a penalty kick is taken; cannot stand behind the line.
Referees
General positioning and movement
The best position is one from which the referee can make the correct decision. All recommendations about positioning must be adjusted using specific information about the teams, the players and events in the match.
The positions recommended in the graphics are basic guidelines. The reference to a 'zone' emphasises that a recommended position is an area within which the referee is likely to be most effective.
The zone may be larger, smaller or differently shaped depending on the exact match circumstances.
Recommendations: The play should be between the referee and the lead AR
The lead AR should be in the referee's field of vision so the referee should usually use a wide diagonal system.
Staying towards the outside of the play makes it easier to keep play and the lead AR in the referee's field of vision
The referee should be close enough to see play without interfering with play.
'What needs to be seen' is not always in the vicinity of the ball. The referee should also pay attention to:
*player confrontations off the ball
*possible offences in the area towards which play
Handball
Handling the ball It is an offence if a player:
*deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, including moving the hand/arm towards the ball
*gains possession/control of the ball after it has touched their hand/arm and then:
*scores in the opponents' goal
*creates a goal-scoring opportunity
* scores in the opponents' goal directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper
It is usually an offence if a player:
* touches the ball with their hand/arm when:
* the hand/arm has made their body unnaturally bigger
* the hand/arm is above/beyond their shoulder level (unless the player deliberately plays the ball which then touches their hand/arm)
The above offences apply even if the ball touches a player's hand/arm directly from the head or body (including the foot) of another player who is close.
Except for the above offences, it is not usually an offence if the ball touches a player's hand/arm:
* directly from the player's own head or body (including the foot)
* directly from the head or body (including the foot) of another player who is close
* if the hand/arm is close to the body and does not make the body unnaturally bigger
* when a player falls and the hand/arm is between the body and the ground to support the body, but not extended laterally or vertically away from the body
Fouls
The rules put emphasis on strong punishment for tackles from behind or on areas with a high risk of injury (Achilles, calf, leg) which clearly endanger the safety of the opponent. Referees are instructed to sanction these types of challenges with a red card.
Offside
Offside position
It is not an offence to be in an offside position.
A player is in an offside position if:
* any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents' half (excluding the halfway line) and
* any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent
The hands and arms of all players, including the goalkeepers, are not considered.
A player is not in an offside position if level with the:
* second-last opponent or
* last two opponents
Offside offence
A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched* by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by:
* interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team-mate or
* interfering with an opponent by:
* preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent's line of vision or
* challenging an opponent for the ball or
*The first point of contact of the 'play' or 'touch' of the ball should be used
* clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent or
* making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball or
* gaining an advantage by playing the ball or interfering with an opponent when it has:
* rebounded or been deflected off the goalpost, crossbar, match official or an opponent
* been deliberately saved by any opponent A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save by any opponent) is not considered to have gained an advantage.
VAR
The use of VARs in football matches is based on a number of principles, all of which must apply in every match using VARs.
1. A video assistant referee (VAR) is a match official, with independent access to match footage, who may assist the referee only in the event of a 'clear and obvious error' or 'serious missed incident' in relation to:
a. Goal/no goal
b. Penalty/no penalty
c. Direct red card (not second yellow card/caution)
d. Mistaken identity (when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the offending team)
Stverens
0
Curious as in the Valencia-Real match, neither the norm regarding the barrier nor the entry to the Achilles of Januzaj was applied, yet I have not seen the news regarding the first negligence that caused the goal of a tie
Beickham
0
The more continuity is given to the game the better for the show. To cross behind very close to the opposite to stumble the player when he lifts his heels when running is something that was used a lot to cut plays without almost looking or missing. Maybe now, knowing that without wanting to step on the heel they go to the street, they do less
LoveRMA
0
The rule will only be relentless to sanction Madrid players. The Costa, Suarez, Busquets, Luis Garcia, etc ... will never see a red one even if they kill the rival. Time to time...
Gary13
0
The rules apply without problem. The problem is when it is not interpreted well. The entrance of Modric, the normal movement of the human being is to support the foot on the ground so as not to lose balance and not fall. That is what Modric did with the bad luck of stepping on the Celtic player ..... the expulsion seems to me a barbarity. Making bad use of the new rule.
Kingkley
0
Whoever says that Modric's stomp was intentional, will say it only out of hatred of Madrid.
fangchang
0
The rule is not bad at all ... but ... imagine ... a striker escapes alone, but is slow and the defense will reach him. The striker brakes dry and the defense caught by surprise unwittingly heels ... no matter how it was, he goes to the street. I don't like this anymore.
Rivergad
0
Well it seems that the little trees are still not very clear, without going any further on the other day in the battlefield there was a stomp to Paulista in the Achilles tendon without penalty, and in the absence that originates the penalty, odegaard is less than 1 meter of the barrier and is not sanctioned, anyway I hope that when it is the other way around it will also be overlooked ...
Naimurrahmansiam
2
City fans will now memorise the concept of Var to make a statement next time it takes their points.