Football fans have spoken — and they’re ready to rewrite the rulebook. After players, pundits, and referees shared their thoughts on how to reinvent football, the debate was opened up to the fans themselves. Thousands responded with strong opinions and creative ideas for how the game could evolve.
Here are the five biggest changes supporters want to see, with insights from former Premier League referee Chris Foy and BBC Sport’s football correspondent Dale Johnson.
1. Simplify or Scrap the Offside Rule
Few topics divide opinion like the offside law. Many fans want it simplified — or gone altogether. Referee Anthony Taylor even joked that one of his best tournaments had no offside rule at all, leading to an explosion of goals.
Fans expressed frustration about the “delayed flag” practice, where linesmen wait before signaling offside.
“Just raise the flag when they’re off,” one fan said. “Keeping play going risks injuries and wastes time.”
Some suggested a “daylight” rule or limiting offside to beyond the 18-yard line to encourage open play.
Chris Foy believes semi-automated technology now ensures accuracy but admits delays can be annoying. Meanwhile, Dale Johnson doubts that major rule overhauls — like Arsène Wenger’s “daylight” idea — will ever be approved, as they could disrupt game tactics.
2. Stop the Clock to End Time-Wasting
Time-wasting continues to plague matches, with the average ball-in-play time dropping to just 55 minutes this season. Fans think it’s time for football to take a page from basketball and rugby.
Supporters proposed stopping the clock during injuries, VAR checks, and delays to ensure that 90 minutes truly means 90 minutes.
“Make it a 60-minute match with a stop clock — no more fake injury time,” suggested one fan.
Chris Foy supports the idea of an independent timekeeper, saying it could “add excitement” by letting fans see the countdown. Dale Johnson, however, warns that most stadiums lack visible scoreboards to track time accurately.
3. Crack Down on Cheating and Dissent
From diving to shouting at referees, fans are fed up with players bending the rules. Some even want instant red cards for simulation or verbal abuse.
Former midfielder Danny Murphy joked that “if a player dives, the other team gets a penalty,” while Chris Sutton suggested a red card and three-match ban for diving.
Foy agrees that dissent is damaging the sport’s image. He praised the sin-bin rule in grassroots football and urged players and coaches to set a better example.
4. Clarify the Handball Rule
The handball rule remains one of football’s most confusing aspects. Fans say the current version has created inconsistency and unnecessary penalties.
Many want to return to the old “ball to hand” logic, where intent matters.
“It’s simple,” one supporter said. “Hand to ball is a foul; ball to hand is not.”
Chris Foy believes the rule has improved but cautions against constant changes, while others argue that accidental handballs shouldn’t result in game-changing penalties.
5. Improve VAR with a Challenge System
Since its introduction in 2019, VAR has divided the football world. Some fans want it scrapped; others just want it fixed.
The most popular suggestion? A challenge system — similar to cricket or tennis — where captains can request up to three VAR checks per game.
“Let captains challenge a decision if they truly believe it’s wrong,” one fan proposed.
Chris Foy and Dale Johnson agree that VAR’s goal should be to correct “clear and obvious errors,” but both acknowledge that strict time limits or overuse could cause more harm than good.
Final Thoughts
From scrapping offside to introducing timekeeping reforms, fans are full of ideas to make football fairer, faster, and more exciting. While not every suggestion may become reality, one thing’s clear — the love for the game remains as passionate as ever.
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