After four years of use in the FA Premier League and Football League and many more seasons in the marking, the rule, brought in for matters of dissent, has been abolished, with the main reason given by football’s head honchos as a ‘lack of understanding’ and “confusion” of its meaning in non-rugby playing countries.
The system has been adopted by football’s ‘other’ code for many years, and with the oval-balled players having a reputation of respect for match officials, FIFA hoped that a similar law would help reduce worrying levels of abuse in football. However, the rule has reputedly been met with confusion in areas such as northern Europe, Africa and Asia, where rugby has not broken into the sports market.
The ten-yard rule was unveiled in Jersey on trial during the 2000/1 campaign, and quickly earned a transfer to the forerunner of the LDV Vans Trophy, the Auto Windscreens Shield, as well as the Central Midlands League. The next season, it was introduced to the Football League, and although it was not overused, apparently increased levels of sportsmanship in the game.
Former official and Premiership referees' chief Keith Hackett bemoaned its removal: “It’s a disappointing decision, because while the rule was not used a lot, it did have an impact on the behaviour of players. The referees over here found it acted as a deterrent. But the problem, as I understand it, is the countries who do not have any familiarity with the concept couldn’t get their heads round the process.”
The rule was at its most effective when free-kicks were awarded thirty of forty yards from goal, when set-piece specialists then had the opportunity to shoot for goal rather than cross into the penalty area. However, one of the problems was when a free-kick was awarded in a good position on the edge of the box, and was moved too close to the goal for a strike to be effective. We await with anticipation the results of FIFA’s decision next term.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com