The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has amended some laws of the game for the 2024/25 football season.
IFAB is the sole body responsible for the Laws of the Game, which are the official rules that govern the sport of association football.
The most significant change is Law 4, which mandates captains to wear single-coloured armbands. The amendments are with effect from July 1, 2024. Law 4 reads:
<blockquote>
The compulsory equipment of a player comprises the following separate items: The team captain must wear the armband issued or authorised by the relevant competition organiser, or a single-coloured armband that may also have the word ‘captain’ or the letter ‘C’ or a translation thereof, which should also be a single colour. The captain must wear an armband which is simple and conforms to the requirements of Law 4 relating to slogans, statements, images and advertising. It may be issued or authorised by the competition organiser.
</blockquote>
As reported by the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/football-laws-amended-mandating-single-coloured-armbands-for-team-captains/">Chronicle</a>, despite the changes, a match commissioner said some teams in the local Castle Lager Premier Soccer League were resisting compliance with the amendments, arguing that referees are making it up.
IFAB is made up of the four British football associations (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) and FIFA.
The four British football associations each have one vote, while FIFA has four votes.
Decisions regarding changes to the Laws of the Game require a three-quarters majority to be approved.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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The football rules are changing in 2024/25. Team captains must wear single-colored armbands. The IFAB is in charge of making these rules. The armband can have the word "captain" or "C". Some teams are not following the new rule. IFAB is made up of the British football associations and FIFA. They need a three-quarters majority to approve rule changes.

Football Team Captains Now Mandated To Wear Single-coloured Armbands

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has ruled out the introduction of blue card in football saying he was not made aware of the proposals before they became public.
Reports emerged last month that the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which is the body that makes football rules, had started the trials, although not at the elite level.
The proposed card would have seen players who showed dissent to a referee or committed a cynical foul to stop an attack shown a blue card before being sent to a sin-bin for 10 minutes.
However, addressing reporters at the IFAB AGM at Loch Lomond in Scotland, Infantino said FIFA was opposed to blue cards. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/mar/01/ifab-under-pressure-to-accelerate-protective-measures-against-concussion">He said</a>:
<blockquote>
There will not be any blue cards used at elite level. This is a topic that is non-existent for us. FIFA is completely opposed to blue cards.
I was not aware of this topic, the president of FIFA – and I think FIFA has a say in IFAB. If you want a title it is a red card to the blue card.
</blockquote>
Infantino also said the addition of a blue card would damage the traditions of the game. He said:
<blockquote>
We have to be serious. We are always open to looking at ideas and proposals. But once you look at it you also have to protect the essence and tradition of the game. There is no blue card.
</blockquote>
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FIFA Completely Opposed To Blue Cards - Infantino

FIFA has refuted reports that a blue card is to be introduced in professional football as part of sin bin trials to be announced this Friday.
A sin bin is an area off the field of play where a player who has committed a foul can be sent to sit for a specified period.
In a statement issued this Friday, FIFA said reports about the introduction of a blue card at elite levels of football are incorrect and premature, adding that the issue will be discussed at the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on 02 March. FIFA said:
<blockquote>
FIFA wishes to clarify that reports of the so-called “blue card” at elite levels of football are incorrect and premature.
Any such trials, if implemented, should be limited to testing in a responsible manner at lower levels, a position that FIFA intends to reiterate when this agenda item is discussed at the IFAB AGM on 2 March.
</blockquote>
This comes after English outlet, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/02/08/blue-cards-to-be-introduced-for-football-sin-bins/">The Telegraph</a>, reported that football lawmakers International Football Association Board (IFAB) will announce the revolutionary rule change on Friday, although it won’t be implemented at the top level straight away.
However, the publication also reported that elite trials could still begin as soon as next season.
The introduction of the blue card will be the first major disciplinary change since the introduction of the yellow and red cards at the 1970 World Cup.
The blue card is envisaged to limit fouls that prevent a promising attack or counterattacks with shirt pulls or other deliberate fouls plus dissent.
A player will be shown a red card if he/she receives two blue cards during a match or a combination of yellow and blue.
According to the report, players will be removed from the field for 10 minutes if they commit a cynical foul or show dissent towards a match official.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"Blue Card" Reports Incorrect And Premature - FIFA

Chairperson of Club Licensing First Instance Body (FIB) Piraishe Mabhena has died.
Mabhena died today, 1 January 2021, at the age of 42.
This was revealed in a statement released this Friday by Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Communications and Competitions Manager Xolisani Gwesela. He said:
<blockquote>The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has learnt with great shock and profound sadness of the passing on of Club Licensing First Instance Body (FIB) Chairperson Piraishe Mabhena.
He was 42 years old.
In this difficult moment of untold grief for the local football family, his friends, and family, we pray that everyone finds comfort in the knowledge that he has left a huge mark on the face of local football.
Mr Mabhena’s time in football administration saw him serve the game as an Eastern Region Chairperson, National Executive Committee Member, and FIB Chairperson, a position he held till his last day today.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult moment.
We draw some solace from the fact that he served the beautiful game with distinction and his legacy shall live on.</blockquote>
ZIFA also extended its condolences to the families of the late former Highlanders and Warriors midfielder Richard Choruma and Worthwhile Mugabe, a football sponsor and businessman. Gwesela added:
<blockquote>ZIFA would also like to extend sincere condolences to the families of former Highlanders and Warriors midfielder Richard Choruma and businessman and friend of football Worthwhile Mugabe who passed away on New Year’s eve.
Death continues to rob football of some of its dedicated personalities.
May their dear souls rest in eternal peace.</blockquote>

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