UEFA Rule Changes

[Wolfie]

*Additional Official Behind Each Goal for 2012 Qualifiers
*Seeding changes for Playoffs re Fixtures

http://http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/hand-of-henry-looms-large-as-uefa-sanction-extra-officials-for-qualifiers-2198083.html

[paul_oshea]

not justice really because they were always going to do it, but good to see all the same. Does the referee get to over rule the official behind the goal? Is the ref now allowed to hold up play and consult the official before/after he has made his decision and act retrospectively? Can the official consult for only that which has occured in the box? Can he rule for offside when the linesman hasn't even though he is facing both players?

There are an awful lot of questions here really, and very important ones too.

[ofjames]

granted if the assistant was on the side of right side of the goal he'd have certainly seen the henry handball

however, if he was on the other side i wouldnt be so sure. he could easily miss it what with the post, nets, goalkeeper etc. in the way.

i wish they'd stop being such technofobes and just embrace video technology. everything else is just massively inferior

[Wolfie]

i wish they'd stop being such technofobes and just embrace video technology. everything else is just massively inferior

Interesting point. It does leave you with the feeling of it being a half measure despite a bit of progress.

This stuff can work against you as well as for you!!!!

The odd unseen shove in the box can turn a game!!!!!

[pineapple stu]

I assume, in the France game, the official behind the goal would have flagged for the handball just like a linesman, and the ref would have given a free out. End of story.

Interesting that the link confirms the play-offs will be seeded. I think this is the first time they've done this this early?

[elroy]

Interesting that the link confirms the play-offs will be seeded. I think this is the first time they've done this this early?

The seeding was confirmed a few months back but think you are right about it being a change from prior years that this decision is being announced before the group even starts. Stupid and no basis for it whatsoever other than to suit the big teams. It affects teams like ourselves most, in the last campaign we outperform our seeding and finish second in the group, however are penalised again by being unseeded in the playoff. Wheres the likes of France is underperform their seeding, get another benefit of their seeding in the playoff draw.

[geysir]

As it is beyond doubt that we are sinned against more than we sin, if there is any benefit to gain from this, there is a greater chance of the gain favouring us.