Tony Baffoe expects more changes in football laws

Anthony Baffoe has assured drastic changes will not be made to affect the natural state of the game of football as discussions on amending the laws of the game by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) heats up.

The ex Ghana defender is a member of the Football Advisory Panel of the IFAB which is looking into proposals of introducing a fourth substitute in extra time and also lessening the triple punishment rule (law 12).

The IFAB are also reviewing data provided by firms mainly in Holland and Germany on how to use technology to help referees make more accurate decisions on the field of play.

There are however fears that the ongoing reviews of the IFAB could lead to changes in the laws of the game which will alter the natural state of football.

Heated debates in the aftermath of games, in particular over mistakes made by referees are considered part and parcel of the beauty of football and this would be lost with attempt to enhance the competence of referees with technology.

Others however feel these changes are needed to conform to the heightened investment into the game in modern times.

Anthony Baffoe has however assured that changes being planned by the IFAB will be carefully thought out not to affect the flow, passion and natural touch of the game.

“For me as a Ghanaian, I look back at the 2010 World Cup when Surez handled the ball to deny Ghana. I think in such instances, the goal should be given,” Baffoe said on his return from the recent IFAB meeting in London.

“But this is an opinion just like many others that the IFAB is looking at and I must stress that no decision has been taken yet.

“It is a process and we have deeper consultations to do and to look at other things based on facts and statistics.

“We want the game to be better and mind you the game has gone through transformations before so this is not a new thing.”