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The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from July 10 to August 20, could see matches lasting longer than usual as FIFA has instructed referees to reduce time wasting and add on accurate stoppage time just like the men’s World Cup in Qatar.
FIFA has told referees involved in the tournament that delays to play caused by substitutions, treatment of injured players, goal celebrations and VAR interventions should be added on at the end of each half, according to the PA news agency. This is in line with the directive issued at the men's World Cup in Qatar last year, where an average of 11 minutes were added to matches due to efforts to restrict time-wasting with the longest match in Qatar extending more than 27 minutes over the normal time.
Referees will also be under instruction to be proactive at restarts in play such as free-kicks, throw-ins, and corners, and to enforce the six-second rule governing how long a goalkeeper can hold onto the ball before releasing it. Two major differences in Australia and New Zealand compared to Qatar will be referees announcing the final decision after an on-field review, and clamping down on goalkeepers who try to distract the kicker in a penalty shoot-out.
Also read - FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Defending champs USA, Netherlands in Group E
Referees will tell the crowd in the stadium and the television audience the final decision they have reached and why, following an on-field review. VAR decisions that do not require an on-field review, will not be communicated verbally by the referee but graphic illustrations of tight calls will appear on big screens, with semi-automated offside technology in use at these finals.
The game's lawmakers have sought to clamp down on goalkeepers attempting to distract penalty takers in a shoot-out, following the antics of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez at the men's World Cup. A referee would initially give a warning, followed by a yellow card, followed by a red if the initial warning is not heeded.
It is improbable that a referee will be given a red card during a shoot-out as the yellow cards are reset during the penalties. Even if one is given, any player can become the goalkeeper for the shootout. The rule was well-received by the football fans as many opine that time wasting makes the game slower and more boring but this rule is yet to arrive in club football.
