MFPA Player Zone Magazine #4

Player Zone 2019 Player Zone 2019
PROVIDING NEW
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH
PLAYERS
MFPA prides itself on delivering on
its promises. As an Association it
greatly believes that football talent,
like any other talent needs to be
harnessed, developed and given
opportunity to grow. This is why
MFPA jumped on the opportunity
to give 2 young promising Maltese
players the chance to go on trial to
A.C Perugia over the summer.
Andrea Zammit and Nathan Agius, both from the National Sports School,
travelled with an MFPA representative to Italy this past September. They
left a very good impression and played with the Perugia side against the
Paolo Rossi Academy. Agius had a stellar
performance in the midfield and Zammit
did what great forwards do best. He
managed to score 4 goals!
The youngsters showed determination
and skill. This opportunity has given them
not only exposure to new experiences,
but also revitalised energy to work
harder.
MFPA remains committed to helping
youth player development in tangible
ways.
Season 2019/2020 saw substantive changes to the rules of the game
issued by IFAB. The International Football Association Board, acts as an
independent guardian of the laws of the game. Changes made are in
response to ‘problem areas’ raised by all parts of the football family. The
most recent changes focus on one of 3 areas:
Improving player behaviour and increasing respect,
Increasing playing time,
Increasing fairness and attractiveness.
The following are perhaps the most striking changes:
1. A player being substituted must now leave the pitch at the nearest point
on the touchline.
2. Team officials on the bench can now receive yellow cards and red cards.
The head coach is responsible for the officials on the bench.
3. The captain who wins the toss can now choose to which goal to attack or
to take the kick-off.
4. The attacking team must be at least 1 meter away from the defensive
wall during a free kick.
5. During a penalty kick when the ball is kicked, the defending goalkeeper
must have at least one foot touching or in line with the goal line. (Not both
feet)
6. A goal kick does not have to leave the penalty area.
For a complete list of changes announced you can visit:
http://theifab.com/presentation-of-ifab-log-2019-20
20 Providing New Opportunities for Youth Players
Game Changes
21