Simplest thing on the position that throws are taken from would be to have the lino stand in/mark the position where it's to be taken from and then either step back from the line or move 5 yards up the line so as not to impede the thrower.

*yards not years

There are so many things that need to change - the way a goalkeeper sits down “injured” so that the team can get a tactical talk from their manager needs sorting, for example. That’s easily fixed by making a rule that no players can go to their bench when a keeper is sitting down for “treatment”. Another is the way a keeper has two defenders in their box when taking a goal kick, only to wave them away and finally take the kick, thus wasting sometimes a full minute - easily fixed by stating that the keeper has to kick the ball within 4 seconds of placing the ball onto the 6 years line. Next is the taking of throws from the wrong position, stealing yards along the line - fixed by something similar in rugby at lineouts, whereby a mark is made by the lino, and a reversal of the throw is immediate if the thrower steals more than a yard. The corners thing is way too complex, but awarding more defensive free kicks is probably the answer, as it’s less controversial than allowing a goal after a full minute of chaotic shirt pulling and players being tripped up, etc….

I did hear a suggestion that a new rule was being mooted that throw ins would no longer be allowed to go into the 18 yard box.

Would help if most fans knew what a foul throw actually is as well. Instead of screaming every 5 seconds for no reason other than it looks odd to me.

We do need throw ins to be managed better in terms of time and where. If we’re going to pick on keepers about time why don’t outfield players get the same count down when they’re free to take it. Also if you take more than 5m from where it was given it should be turned over to the opposition. It used to be a really good play to pin someone down into their own corners of the pitch. But now, put it out for them to have to throw in at the corner, they’ll take the throw from almost half way anyway.

By committee...

Agree with TF on that very point of cheating.

Could always set up a Referees Trust, and do everything by

Hash problem with that is good luck finding any referees. Also worth saying 3 officials run the match and often the referee is getting guidance from the AR on things they never see. So apportioning decisions is really difficult. Would probably also help if players stopped cheating.

Just keep things as they are but tell refs in no uncertain terms that if they are not consistent with their decisions both within games and over multiple games they will never be allowed to referee again at any level

The problem with LD’s suggestion is football itself. If you’ve got a player like VVD who regularly scores headers from corners then you put someone small on him and get em to start niggling and grappling in order to have both them and VVD removed from the field of play.

I like LD's suggestion.

They’re talking about no players being allowed in the 6 yard box before the ball is kicked. Cue pandemonium.

My solution to the issues at corners. If the ref sees any fouling then they stop the game and all the offending players are made to leave the pitch. The corner is retaken. Only at the next break in play can anyone off the pitch return.

Player wearing thumbless boxing gloves other that 2 designated throwers and the GK...QED

CW - So the defenders would always grapple knowing they would get a free kick. Not a serious suggestion but it would target two things at once: the defending team must leave 3 people outside the penalty area, so the attacking team take the risk of being overwhelmed on the break or have people back themselves. An emptier penalty area would make offences clearer.

It was suggested earlier in the season that when both sides are grappling each other in the area that the ref blows for a free kick to the defending side. Not an ideal solution but might work

Not really a defence of VAR or referees but now both defence and attack commit fouls at every corner. Whilst you haven't stopped that then you can only intervene where there is a clear effect on whether a goal is scored or not. If anyone can think of how to solve the underlying problem other than randomly awarding free kicks and penalties, I'm sure the authorities would like to hear it.

For me VAR has ruined the spontaneity, I remember the 1979 cup final when Arsenal threw away a 2-0 lead only to score a last gasp winner to win 3-2 and thinking that was he ultimate in glory but nowadays you’d have to wait a few minutes so the moment would be gone. Even in cricket when England won the World Cup there was a check to see if Jos Buttler had done the last ball run out correctly

doesn't decide

But VAR (correctly) ruled that goal out whilst not intervening on a number of other similar goals (many for Arsenal) throughout the season.

CW, I dislike VAR with a passion. I so preferred the days where fans could argue that the decision was right or wrong, that applied right down to grassroots. You could say the ref was crooked and for evermore debate the decision. The great thing for me is that the EFL currently have that model and the debates continue. Fans celebrate, or berate officials in real-time moments of agony or jubilation and the game goes on. You win some and lose some, but I'm so glad a finger or toenail decides our matches and don't have to wait minutes to celebrate again, or hear that song, "you thought you had scored, you were wrong, you were wrong"

I’m not a fan of VAR but clearly the ref didn’t see the big incident at the end of the Westham game so without that the title would be heading to Man City

Just seen that in an amazing and unexpected career change Jedward now play in goal for Bristol Rovers.