World Cup to ban tactical timeouts and expand VAR authority
Officials announced rule changes that will eliminate tactical timeouts and give video assistant referees additional decision-making powers at the next World Cup. The measures aim to reduce stoppages and increase consistency in officiating.
bbc.co.ukWorld Cup organizers will prohibit tactical timeouts and grant video assistant referees expanded authority over match decisions, according to @SkyNews. The changes target frequent stoppages that occur when teams call timeouts primarily to disrupt play or manage game tempo.
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Video review protocols will also cover a wider range of incidents, allowing officials to intervene without requiring on-field requests.
Implementation details The new rules will apply at the upcoming tournament and are intended to maintain continuous play while preserving opportunities for accurate rulings. Match officials will retain final authority on the field, with video review serving as a support mechanism rather than an override.
Teams will still be permitted to make substitutions and conduct other standard stoppages under existing procedures. The adjustments follow ongoing reviews of game flow and officiating consistency at recent international competitions.
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