IFAB AGM takes place in England

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which is responsible for discussing and deciding on the Laws of the Game, has held its annual general meeting in Surrey, England.

The IFAB received a presentation on the experiment with additional assistant referees (AAR). The experiment is currently ongoing in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, and additional assistant referees will be deployed at the UEFA EURO 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

"A final report will be made at the special meeting of the IFAB on 2 July, following the conclusion of the UEFA EURO 2012 competition, in order that a definitive decision on the future of AAR can also be made," a statement said after the meeting. The IFAB also received a general evaluation of eight available goal-line technology (GLT) systems, with further tests scheduled for two of the systems.

A presentation was also made regarding the wearing of headscarves by female players. "The IFAB agreed to the proposal in principle that headscarves be allowed, pending an accelerated review of health and safety issues," the statement said. "Therefore, a final endorsement will be made at the special meeting of the IFAB on 2 July."

Concerning proposed amendments to the Laws of the Game, approval was granted by the IFAB to amend Law 1, clearly defining the location of upright advertising. The IFAB also approved an amendment to Law 8, which now clearly defines the action that should be taken by match officials, should the ball be kicked directly into the goal from an "uncontested" dropped ball.

FIFA agreed to withdraw the proposed amendment to Law 3 in relation to a fourth substitution being used during extra time, and the proposal regarding Law 12 concerning the so-called "Triple Punishment" will be reviewed further.

"The decisions concerning the Laws of the Game taken today by the IFAB will come into effect – taking into consideration UEFA EURO 2012 – on 1 June 2012," the statement said.

The IFAB was founded in 1886, and is composed of The Football Association (England), the Scottish Football Association (SFA), the Football Association of Wales (FAW), the Irish Football Association (IFA) and FIFA.