‘IFAB concerned’ as rule change considered amid Daniel Farke and Leeds United anger
A decision that left Daniel Farke angry after Leeds United’s defeat to Manchester City appears to be being dealt with by lawmakers.
Farke accused Man City of cheating due to Gianluigi Donnarumma going to ground when not actually injured, allowing his teammates to take on instructions from boss Pep Guardiola.
That happened in a key part of Saturday’s game at the Etihad Stadium, where Leeds went on to lose 3-2 to Man City late on.
Farke is a man under plenty of pressure at Leeds, but he was justified in calling out City for “bending the rules”.
Change being considered for goalkeeper tactical timeouts
The loophole that allows this to happen may well soon be closed amid reports emerging on Sunday.
According to BBC Sport, football’s lawmakers are considering a rule change that would see an outfield player have to leave the pitch if a goalkeeper goes down injured.
This is referred to as a ‘tactical timeout’, with teams knowing play has to be stopped in order for the goalkeeper to be treated.
Since the start of the 2023-24 season, outfield players who go down injured and recieve treatment are asked to leave the field for 30 seconds.
It is claimed that the rule could now be further changed as the matter is due to be discussed at IFAB’s annual business meeting in January.
IFAB oversee football’s laws, and former FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes they will be worried by the growing tactic being used.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Hackett said: “It’s evident the lawmakers the IFAB are concerned about the lack of actual amount of playing time in games.
“They should be exploring ways of dealing with tactical stoppages, and on the face of it this sounds like a positive move.
“However, I remain convinced that the addition of an independent timekeeper and a stop clock is the major change that needs to be made.”
What did Daniel Farke say about Gianluigi Donnarumma ‘injury’?
Farke bought himself some extra time at Leeds with the battling display at the Etihad Stadium, but the German is only ever one bad result away from the sack.
While not usually one to showcase his frustrations in public, Leeds boss Farke did not hold back in his criticism of City’s tactics this weekend.
“Everyone knows why he went down,” Farke told reporters after the game. “It is not the elephant in the room.
“Why he went down, it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. Do I like it? Is it within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this, I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution.”
And it may well be that the solution has been found, but Farke will have to wait to see if it is signed off on early next year.
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