Arsene Wenger's idea to replace throw-ins with kick-ins as a way to increase playing time is set to be trialled following discussions by the International Football Association Board at their annual general meeting.
The former Arsenal manager, who is FIFA's chief of global football development, has previously said that throw-ins and free-kicks are the biggest time wasters. Wenger is aiming "to make the game more spectacular and quicker" and has suggested players restart with their feet instead of a throw in a limit of five seconds.
IFAB - the rule-making group comprised of FIFA, The FA, the Irish FA, the Scottish FA and the FA of Wales - met in Doha, Qatar for their annual gathering, which was chaired by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, on Monday morning.
After confirming that permitting five substitutes will be made permanent in top-level games, a move that was first used during the pandemic, they issued a statement around future trials that may also include having referees describe some decisions in a manner similar to rugby union.
"Other trials such as explaining certain refereeing decisions during a game, a potentially fairer calculation of playing time, and kick-ins were also discussed," IFAB said. "The AGM was clear that these and any other trials require permission and will be supervised by The IFAB and FIFA."
For games allowing five substitutes, IFAB have agreed an increase to "the maximum number of named substitutes listed on the team sheet from 12 to 15 at the discretion of the competition organiser" and confirmed an extension to the trial period for concussion substitutions.
Wenger, who was widely criticised for backing the idea of a biennial World Cup, has recently started working on a health check of the game that includes contacting national associations all over the globe with an emphasis on grassroots and coaching. But his lobbying around rule changes will continue to get far more attention.
"There are two big time wasters at the moment - throw-ins and free kicks, and a little bit goal-kicks as well because you play out now in the box," he said last year.
"The target is to make the game more spectacular and quicker, and maybe with throw-ins you could play with your feet, but in a limit of five seconds for example, things like that. But it has to be rested and then has to be accepted by the IFAB. So we are looking at many things but there is not a lot anymore you can change."
