There have been recent news reports regarding certain decisions of the International F.A. Board on modifying the Laws of the Game. In particular, there is a press release or news item floating around the internet concerning tackling from behind. The press release states:

"All tackling from behind is considered to endanger the physical integrity of the opponent, so no tackling from behind will be tolerated by FIFA," the world body's general secretary Sepp Blatter said. "Officially from July 1, but effectively from the kick-off of the World Cup finals on June 10, all tackles from behind will be sanctioned by a red card everywhere on the field of play," he told a news conference at the end of FIFA's World Cup workshop with the 32 finalists.

 

Most of these reports leave the very incorrect impression that FIFA has completely outlawed all tackles from behind. What the International Board has done is to restate even more clearly and directly what has been its position all along -- that "A tackle from behind which endangers the safety of an opponent must be sanctioned as serious foul play." Of course, serious foul play is punished by displaying the red card and sending the player from the field. This is the actual wording for the change to Law 12, not what the news headlines have said. Although this change in Law 12 will go into effect worldwide as of July 1, 1998, it should be clear that referees have sufficient authority even now to apply the Spirit of the Law underlying these words.

 

Beginning in 1996, the International Board has increasingly emphasized its concern for player safety by instructing referees to watch carefully tackles from behind (where "behind" is intended to mean "outside the peripheral vision of the player being tackled"). If a foul is committed during such a tackle, the Board has stated its intention that misconduct has also been committed: the only issue is whether the proper action is a caution for reckless play or a send-off for serious foul play (depending on the amount of violence used). Apparently, the Board feels that its earlier language in making this point has not been sufficiently followed by referees and that an even more definitive statement in Law 12 itself is needed.

 

Until the International Board officially communicates its decisions on this and other subjects through a Circular to the national associations, and until USSF in turn communicates these decisions together with its guidance on how to interpret and apply them, referees can confirm for themselves the accuracy of the language (rather than news reports and interviews) by checking the FIFA website.

 

Referees are reminded of the guidance given in the 1997 Memorandum from USSF. Do not use personal, unsupported, or unofficial interpretations of any provisions of the Laws of the Game. If you have any questions, please contact either the SRA or the SDI at this site and an answer will be provided.