Football world governing body FIFA amended some of her rules in recent time and one of the amended rules is causing an uproar among football players and followers. The rule in question is rule 14 that guides penalty-kicks, and it was the part that guides goalkeepers that hit the headlines in the ongoing women's world cup. It says goalkeepers must have one foot at least partly on the goal line when the kick is taken and can neither stand behind nor in front of the line, if there is an infringement of this, the penalty-kick will be retaken, and the goalkeeper will also be cautioned.
Some managers, players and stakeholders alike frown at FIFA on these changes, arguing it gives the kickers the advantage over goalkeepers. Others are concern about the timing of the implementation, they feel more time should have been given before the amended rule come into play, as the noises and moanings from Nigeria and Scotland could have been avoided.
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Moanday week in view saw Nigeria and Scotland faced the full penalty of rule 14 change. Both teams needed a result(regardless of results elsewhere) to advance into the round of 16 and they both look like they were going to get the respective results needed until rule 14 changed it all.
Firstly, Nigeria played host France in the last Group A tie, a win or draw would have safely secured passage of the Nigerians into the round of 16 and they were holding their own against France until they conceded a spot-kick in the 79th minute. France's Wendie Renard stepped up and missed from 12 yards to the delight of the Nigerians, however, their joy was short-lived, as the kick was ordered to be retaken after Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie faltered the new rule. They eventually lost to France through that lone spot-kick much to their despair and Nnadozie couldn't hold back her tears, she wouldn't have felt gutted and cheated if she and her teammates had been properly brief about the rule change.
Just a couple of days later, it was Scotland feeling absolutely furious after a spot-kick was called to be retaken against them. Scotland needed a win in the last Group C match against Argentina having lost their 1st 2 matches, they raced to a 3 nil lead and were heading into the last 16 before they got complacent and things went south. Argentina pulled 2 goals back in 5 crazy minutes, putting the scores at 3-2 to set up a nervy finish for the Scots. But then, in the added time of full 90 minutes, Scotland conceded a penalty, Flor Bonsegundo stepped up and had her kick saved by Lee Alexander in goal for Scotland to the delight of her team. However, just like the 3 previous cases, VAR revealed that Alexander had left the goal line before the kick was taken and therefore, the kick was ordered to be retaken. Bonsegundo scored at the 2nd time of asking to level the scoreline 3 all and effectively knocked Scotland out of the competition. ...tonight we feel hard done by VAR, said Scotland coach Shelley Kerr after the match.
Ignorantia juris non excusat or ignorantia legis neminem excusat
which is simply put as Ignorance of the law, not an excuse, a certain @Idunique and other legal practitioner on scorum will agree with this.
It is not FIFA's duty, to enlighten players rather football associations of every country, and some of them evidently have failed to adequately inform their players. However, there should have been more awareness before the implementation in my opinion. In any case, the rules have come to stay, we all had better accept it.
Thanks, for your time.
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