Penalty rebounds could be OUTLAWED under drastic new rules with plans for VAR checks on yellow cards and corners

Football, ever a sport of evolving dynamics and passionate debate, appears to be on the cusp of its most radical rule changes in decades. Whispers from the corridors of power suggest that the very fabric of the game, particularly around critical moments, is under intense scrutiny. Among the most startling proposals being considered by football’s lawmakers is the potential outlawing of penalty kick rebounds, a move that would fundamentally alter one of the sport's most dramatic spectacles.

Currently, a penalty kick is a live ball once struck, meaning if it hits the post or crossbar, or is saved by the goalkeeper, any player – including the original taker – can follow up and score. This often leads to chaotic, exhilarating scrambles, sometimes resulting in crucial goals. The proposed change would declare the ball dead if it strikes the woodwork or is saved and does not directly enter the net, effectively eliminating the possibility of a rebound goal. This would place immense, singular pressure on the initial strike, demanding absolute precision and power from the penalty taker. Proponents argue it would reduce contentious goalmouth incidents and simplify officiating, ensuring that the penalty is a clear, one-shot opportunity. However, purists might lament the loss of those frantic, unpredictable moments that add so much drama and narrative to a match. It would undoubtedly reduce the goal count from penalties, but also potentially remove a layer of unpredictable excitement.

Beyond the penalty spot, the omnipresent eye of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is set to expand its reach. Plans are reportedly in motion to allow VAR intervention for yellow cards, a significant departure from its current remit which primarily focuses on red card offences, goals, and penalty incidents. This extension could see VAR reviewing subjective decisions, such as dives that warrant a booking, or fouls that were deemed insufficient for a yellow but perhaps should have been. While the intention is to improve consistency and fairness in disciplinary actions, the practical implication could be a substantial increase in game stoppages. Every significant foul, regardless of whether a yellow card was initially issued, could become a candidate for review, further fragmenting the flow of play and testing the patience of fans and players alike.

Furthermore, the awarding of corner kicks themselves could fall under VAR's purview. Currently, VAR reviews events *during* a corner kick (e.g., offsides, fouls leading to a goal), but not the initial decision to award the corner. This new proposal aims to correct clear and obvious errors where the ball may not have gone out, or was last touched by an attacking player. While seemingly minor, a wrongly awarded corner can lead directly to a goal, thus impacting the outcome of a match. Correcting these errors aligns with VAR's core principle of ensuring justice, yet it again introduces another layer of scrutiny and potential delay, requiring officials to painstakingly review replays to determine precise ball trajectories and contact points.