Premier League Needs to Propose Changes in Handball Rule Within a Month; Manchester City, Everton in Women’s FA Cup Semis and More
The Premier League adopted the stringent handball rules this season, as per FIFA’s directives to keep the fundamental interpretation of rules uniform across competitions.
A series of questionable and controversial handball decisions within the two weeks of the new Premier League season has resulted in calls to amend the law. However, if the Premier League wants to change the rules governing handball -- even if it’s for the next season -- they would have to submit a proposal to the IFAB, the international law-making body, next month.
IFAB’s annual meeting, where laws are passed and changed, is usually scheduled in March. However, as per protocol, the associations and leagues need to put in proposals by November 1. The period would give IFAB time for consultations and deliberations before approving or scrapping the proposals.
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The General Assembly of IFAB -- the decision making body -- is made up of the four British football associations (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and four representatives of FIFA. A three-quarters majority is required for any new amendment of law to be passed. That, in essence, means if the British associations propose, the FIFA representatives have no other choice but to agree. The decision on what items would be placed on the agenda will be made at the annual business meeting in November.
The handball law in question was introduced last season. The Premier League, however, chose a more lenient interpretation than many European competitions. That changed this season with the league agreeing with FIFA’s call that all competitions should play by the same fundamental interpretations of the laws.
As a result there has been an increase in the number of penalties handed out due to handball. There have been complaints across the leagues, majorly from Italy last season. However, the hue and cry in England trumps them all and in all likelihood could see efforts towards an amendment in the law.
Life Ban for Paraguayan Club Boss
Marco Trovato, the president of Paraguayan club Olimpia -- one of the most successful sides in South America -- was banned for life from football by FIFA. He was found guilty of match manipulation, the global body said on September 28. Trovato was also fined $107,921.
Trovato, who has been the president at the club since 2014, also failed to collaborate during disciplinary proceedings. The decision is related to “a series of matches that took place between 2018 and 2019”. However, there is no clarity as to which matches and what competitions they were played.
Olimpia have won the Copa Libertadores three times and have been the Paraguayan champions on a record 44 occasions.
Everton, Birmingham and Man City in Semis
Everton entered the Women's FA Cup semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Goodison Park.
Chelsea opened the scoring with a finish from inside the box by Scottish midfielder Erin Cuthbert in the fourth minute. After the setback, Everton played themselves into the game and levelled later in the half through skipper Lucy, who found the back of the net with a diving header.
In the 64th minute, Everton took the lead, and the winner, through another stunning diving header - this time by Valerie Gauvin.
Everton will face Birmingham in the semis later this week. Birmingham women entered the final four via a penalty shootout victory over Brighton.
Hannah Hampton's heroics secured the 4-2 penalty shootout win following a 2-2 draw in regulation play. Birmingham scored five minutes into the match with a close-range effort by Sarah Mayling. Brighton drew level in the 25th minute through captain Danielle Bowman's penalty kick.
Mollie Green scored to hand Birmingham the lead with an second-half penalty. Brighton, however, pushed hard for the equaliser and equalised in the last minute of play -- a header from Denise O'Sullivan
In the shootout, Brighton's Kayleigh Green and Birmingham's Claudia Walker both missed. But the difference was Hampton, who saved from Megan Connolly before Georgia Brougham scored the winning penalty.
Meanwhile, Chloe Kelly and Georgia Stanway scored in the first half to help Manchester City beat Leicester 2-1 in their quarterfinal.
Kelly opened the scoring with a penalty after Stanway was brought down in the area. Stanway then scored -- a fine individual effort -- lobbing the goalkeeper from just inside the area.
Leicester pulled a goal back back through a penalty. Millie Farrow was fouled in the area and Charlie Devlin scored. However, the equaliser eluded them and City booked a semis clash with Arsenal.
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