The News Agents Q&A: Rules football should steal from other sports? - The Sports Agents
Nov 28, 2025
Explore how football could borrow exciting ideas from other sports! The hosts discuss VAR time limits and sticking with on-field decisions. They debate tactical goalkeeper substitutions and the potential for challenge systems like in tennis. Learn about limiting conversations with referees and introducing sin bins for misconduct. The conversation also touches on reducing substitutions to level the playing field. Plus, catch insights from a major interview with McLaren's CEO and reflections on grief in football.
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Set A Time Limit For VAR Reviews
- Limit VAR review time so decisions can't be endlessly re-examined and disrupt the match flow.
- If VAR can't decide after a couple of looks, keep the on-field referee's call to preserve game rhythm.
Use Margin Rules Like 'Umpire's Call'
- Cricket's 'umpire's call' accepts marginal error and preserves on-field decisions in tight calls.
- Applying a similar margin principle to football could reduce contentious overturns and slow VAR processes.
Permit Tactical Goalkeeper Substitutions
- Allow replacing a goalkeeper temporarily with an extra outfield player late in matches to change tactics.
- Use it sparingly to create end-game strategy shifts without disrupting core rules.