FRC to Address Two-Point Score Rule Loopholes at Croke Park Congress
The Football Review Committee (FRC) is set to address controversial aspects of the two-point score rule at a special congress in Croke Park on Saturday. The committee aims to prevent defending players from exploiting a loophole and has proposed several amendments to the rule.
Initially, the rule stated that if a defending player or goalkeeper touched the ball before it went over the crossbar, the score would be reduced to one point. However, a flaw in the rule allowed defending players to exploit this by intentionally touching the ball before it crossed the line, resulting in a two-point score. The FRC has proposed an amendment to ensure a two-point score even if a defending player touches the ball, preventing this loophole.
Another proposed change includes giving sideline officials more power to alert referees to rule breaches. This aims to improve enforcement and maintain fair play. Additionally, a motion seeks to add a breach for 'disruptive conduct' in the area of dissent, with punishment including a free kick against the offending team. Despite these changes, converted 45s will still award only one point.
The FRC's proposed amendments aim to clarify the two-point score rule and prevent defending players from exploiting loopholes. These changes, along with several other tweaks, will be discussed and potentially implemented at the special congress in Croke Park on Saturday. The congress follows high-profile incidents, such as Galway's Connacht final win over Mayo, which generated debate about the rule's interpretation.
