FIFA drops plan for 20-minute half-time

FIFA on Saturday withdrew a proposal to extend half-time breaks from 15 to 20 minutes after it became clear that it would not be adopted by world football’s rules-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

The plan had been opposed by the Football Associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, who have the power to block any changes to the rules as they account for half the votes on the IFAB.

FIFA has four votes on the Board and it requires six to push through any changes.

The meeting of the IFAB here was due to discuss proposals for an experiment with sin-bins for yellow card offenders, further trials for an extra assistant referee behind each goal and the possibility of allowing a fourth substitute in matches that go into extra time.