The law on coaches interfering with the ball in play are reportedly set to change after Arsenal's Mikel Arteta escaped a red card against Inter.
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Arteta interfered with ball in playEscaped red card vs InterNew law set to come into playFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
In Arsenal's 1-0 Champions League loss to Inter last month, manager Arteta was yellow carded after he picked the ball up before it had gone out of play – stopping Matteo Darmian from taking a throw-in. By the laws of the game, Arteta should have been sent off but now, report that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has recommended a change to the law. They believe a caution is a more suitable outcome when a coach's sole intention is to help the game restart quickly.
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The report adds that the change to the law, which would take effect in the summer of 2025, must, however, be approved at the IFAB's annual general meeting on March 1. After lengthy discussions at their annual business meeting on Monday, this law tweak has been recommended.
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In 2024, West Brom boss Carlos Corberan and Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes were both sent off for a similar infringement to the one Arteta was pulled up for by referee Istvan Kovacs.
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After this meeting in March, more information will appear on exactly when this change will come into effect. The report adds that another law that could change is regarding the dropped ball – after the ball hits the referee.