IFAB is often compared to FIFA in terms of football organisations, but they are two very separate entities. IFAB is the rule-making body that meets every year to decide on what new rules to introduce and what to get rid of. They also create trials for new technology like VAR, automated offsides and bodycams. This differs from FIFA, which is the international body that runs the game - including the organisation of the World Cup.

Things were not always like this! Before 1845, we have no record of any attempt to standardise football rules. The first-ever meeting with the intention of standardising rules happened in Cambridge in 1848. That meeting didn’t end fruitfully…

It took many more years for the first international football association board (IFAB) meeting. It took place in 1886 in London. Football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland met and decided on rules for international and domestic football. However, those rules have changed and morphed over time making the modern game a very different sport.

At REFSIX we’re dedicated to keeping referees up to date with the latest technology, laws and developments. To find out where it all started here is the story of IFABs creation and how it came to influence the modern game.

The rules of football began to standardise in the early 19th century

In the early days of football, teams didn’t even have separate shirts or numbers on their backs. The goalkeeper was also not required to wear a different jersey. More interestingly, there was no limit to the number of players either. Usually, the teams would agree on it, but it did not have any law.

The first standardization attempt was in 1848 when different schools in England came together to create the Cambridge Rules. However, those rules did not succeed in having any long-term impact. The first IFAB meeting happened in 1886, more than 40 years later.

Football rules were created by countries of the UK

FIFA did not even exist until 1904. With FIFA's formation in 1904, the top governing body of football accepted IFAB as the legal judge of all laws regarding football.

It is worth noting that the original football laws were essentially a creation of the UK. Even today the football boards of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales hold additional sway at IFBA. FIFA has four votes in IFBA meetings, and the four countries have one each. To pass a law, at least 6 out of 8 votes have to be in favour. That means neither FIFA nor the four UK countries have absolute control over the laws.

FIFA became a part of the IFAB only in 1912. Before that, it was possible for the UK countries to go against FIFA's wishes and create/modify a law. For four years - 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923 - FIFA was excluded from the IFAB meetings.

Hitting other players used to not be a penalty

It would shock most of us to see a player hitting another player in the Premier League. In most cases, it invites a straight red card. Until 1863, kicking down an opponent to prevent them from getting to the ball was legal. It was rather seen as a sign of strength and made the sport more masculine.

Professional players were not allowed in Scotland

As outlandish as it may seem, professional players were at one point not allowed to play the game. The English FA legalised professional players in 1885. Scotland was not in favour of the move. It continued to prohibit professional players from their national team. Scotland went on to say that they would not play against a professional England team. In part due to this conflict, the IFBA as we know it now came into being.

While this conflict was damaging the football culture of the UK, Ireland came forward to mediate. It suggested an annual meeting wherein the countries would discuss the various rules and laws.

There were no referees

Before the 1870s, there were no referees in the game. Football was considered a respectful sport and captains of both teams would regulate the match. However, this system started to create problems even before the IFAB was created. Up to 1886, football games in England would have two referees. Later the rule was rewritten to one referee and two linesmen. With no referee and no penalty for ‘kicking down’ an opponent, football was a much more violent game in the 19th century. Nowadays things are very different… referees are using more sophisticated kit like VAR and REFSIX!

Until 1909, there were no goalkeepers

Goalkeepers are an integral part of the game today. There are many separate laws for goalkeepers as well. Interestingly, there were no formalized rules for goalkeepers until 1909. That means even after the formation of IFAB, the Laws of the Game, and FIFA, there were no goalkeepers as we know them now.

At that time, the last person on the field would double up as the goalkeeper. Rules were much looser and often multiple people could touch the ball with their hands. Goalkeepers would not even be required to wear a separate jersey. It was only after 1909 that goalkeeping was seen as a separate role in the field with different rules.

Penalty areas did not exist until 1902

With no marked penalty box, the closest thing to a penalty kick that players would get was a free kick. In some cases, these free kicks would be without a wall or obstruction. After penalty boxes came into being, many other rules regarding handball, penalty kicks, free kicks were also created.

Until 1970, a penalty shoot-out was not the standard practice to resolve a tie. Some legends claim that matches would go on until the players could not play anymore. However, penalty shootouts were still in practice even if they were not the official and only solution.

Corner kicks did not exist until 1874

Until 1874, there were no corner kicks. It was only in 1874 that corner kicks were formalized. It was only in 1924 that direct goals from corner kicks were allowed. The same year was also same the first direct goal from a corner kick by Ceáreo Onzari of Argentina.

Conclusion

The journey of football rules is very interesting. What we now take for granted were once obscure and vague rules. To better understand the game, we must also know its history and the history of the laws. The latest caution codes and rules like sin bins are included in the REFSIX app to ensure you’re refereeing is up to date. Download today to help keep track of time and match incidents.