Updates to IFAB’s 2024- 25 playing regulations, along with competition guidelines updates, were blazoned on Thursday
WHAT HAPPED?
MLS blazoned a competition guidelines update ahead of the 2025 season labeled” Only the Captain” which is being enforced to ameliorate the image of the game while reducing mobbing cases with a adjudicator.
The end of the rule is to open a direct line of communication between a club’s captain and the match functionary, with the individual wearing the armband being the only player allowed to approach the adjudicator over crucial opinions.
Following crucial opinions, no other players will be allowed to approach the adjudicator, although the functionary himself is encouraged to speak with all players throughout a match.
The adjudicator will designate a space, and signal to the club captain that that space will be where they can communicate. Players who approach that
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Also, MLS will continue to use three negotiation windows, with a outside of five negotiations allowed during the 2025 season. MLS will also apply IFAB’s fresh Permanent Concussion Negotiations protocol in 2025.
The rule permits brigades to make one endless concussion negotiation per match, anyhow of the number of negotiations or windows used formerly; it can be used when a player who has an factual or suspected head injury is substituted and takes no farther part in the game. When a concussion negotiation is employed, the opposing platoon is issued an’ fresh’ negotiation and window occasion.
With the addition of the league’s 30th platoon in expansion ballot San Diego FC, the schedule format will correspond of 34 matches, featuring 17 home and 17 down for each club as well in 2025.
Clubs will play separate conference opponents doubly, formerly at home and formerly down, while each club will also play one match against six differentcross-conference opponents.
DID YOU KNOW?
Commissioner Don Garber spoke to SBJ ahead of the 2025 season before this week, touching on the league’s Apple TV deal, expansion, and more.
WHAT NEXT FOR MLS?
The 2025 MLS season begins on Saturday when LAFC host Minnesota United. All 30 brigades are set to play opening weekend.
