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FIFA Defends Tighter Time‑wasting Rules After VAR Cancels Germany Goal

Refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina says tournament statistics show the new limits sped up play and justify stricter foul policing near goalkeepers.

Overview

  • FIFA introduced limits on goal kicks and throw‑ins, a 10‑second rule for substituted players, and a one‑minute off‑pitch requirement for treated injuries to speed up matches and reduce stoppages.
  • Collina reported strong compliance and concrete results, saying officials logged only one substituted player breach across 72 group games and 15 five‑second breaches that led to turnover or corners.
  • A video review on Monday overturned Jonathan Tah’s extra‑time header after VAR found Waldemar Anton impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill under the new guidance to punish attackers who deliberately block keepers.
  • Tournament disciplinary figures cited by Collina showed low dissent counts, 10 red cards with six for denying clear goal chances, and Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón served a one‑game ban for covering his mouth during a confrontation.
  • The rules have visibly changed player behavior with faster substitutions and fewer medical stoppages while the high‑profile VAR interventions have raised questions about consistency and transparency of reviews going forward.