‘Golden Goals’ Experiment Tossed Out
International soccer’s eight-year experiment with so-called “golden goals” and “silver goals” -- conflicting methods of deciding games by sudden-death overtime -- came to an end Saturday when the sport’s lawmaking body voted to scrap both systems as of July 1.
The International Football Assn. Board (IFAB), meeting in London voted to reintroduce a 30-minute overtime period, divided into two halves, followed by penalty kicks, if necessary, as a means of deciding games that are tied.
David Taylor, chief executive of the Scottish Football Assn., said the decision was based on results of a survey of FIFA’s member federations and came after consultation with coaches and referees worldwide.
On another matter, the IFAB agreed to limit to six the number of substitutes that can be employed in friendly internationals.
Top national team coaches, led by England’s Sven-Goran Eriksson, had sought to retain unlimited substitution but lost.
“Our views on this were pretty well known, but democracy has spoken and our view did not prevail,” said Mark Palios, chief executive of the English Football Assn.
In other actions, the IFAB:
* Rejected a German proposal to extend the halftime break from 15 minutes to 20 minutes.
* Approved the awarding of a yellow card to players who remove their shirt while celebrating a goal.
* Voted to continue, on an experimental basis, advancing free kicks 10 yards if defending players obstruct or delay the taking of a free kick.
* Outlawed an innovation in Belgium that linked a coach with his goalkeeper via radio and outlawed the use of one-piece uniforms such as those worn by Cameroon in the recent African Nations Cup in Tunisia.
* Approved the use of artificial surfaces for all competitions as long as the surface meets FIFA standards.
Athens 2004
Canada and Costa Rica advanced to Wednesday’s semifinals of the CONCACAF women’s Olympic qualifying tournament with contrasting victories at San Jose, Costa Rica.
The Canadians beat Panama, 6-0, on four goals by Aysha Jamani and two by Andrea Neil. Costa Rica barely beat Jamaica, 1-0, on a goal off a free kick by Megan Chaves.
Canada and Costa Rica will play Monday to determine which team wins Group A.
Mexico and the United States have advanced from Group B and will play today to determine the group winner.
Quick Passes
World Cup winner Rivaldo of Brazil quit Brazilian champion Cruzeiro to protest the firing Friday of coach Wanderley Luxemburgo, who had complained about financial problems at the club.... Major League Soccer clubs enjoyed an unbeaten day at the La Manga Cup in Spain, where the San Jose Earthquakes beat Stabaek of Norway, 2-1, on goals by Jamil Walker and Brian Ching. The New York/New Jersey MetroStars defeated Bodo-Glimt of Norway, 3-1, on two goals by Joselito Vaca and one by Olivier Occean. The Dallas Burn rallied to tie Dinamo Kiev of Ukraine, 2-2, on goals by Bobby Rhine and Jason Thompson.
Compiled by Grahame L. Jones
