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Football fans have spoken, and if they had their way, the game would be flipped on its head.
In a new poll of 2,000 football supporters, fans have listed the top 20 changes they'd love to see introduced into the beautiful game, and let’s just say, tradition might not survive the tackle.
Topping the wishlist? A salary cap for players and the long-contested call to televise 3pm Saturday kick-offs, breaking a decades-old UK broadcasting blackout. Supporters are also gunning for stop clocks to keep injury time honest, and perhaps most dramatically, an instant red card for diving, no warnings, no VAR checks, just a straight walk of shame.
And for those who think the modern game is too bloated, a strict spending cap on clubs is another fan favourite, along with calls to simplify the confusing handball rules, eliminate VAR, and even mic up referees so everyone can hear what’s going on.
Credit:REX
The list gets even more controversial from there. One in 10 fans voted for the nostalgic return of the Golden Goal to settle draws, while others suggested abolishing offsides, replacing throw-ins with kick-ins, and even ditching draws entirely, opting for penalty shootouts in all tied games.
Among the more left-field suggestions: bonus points for scoring four or more goals, mandatory youth players in starting lineups, and removing transfer windows, allowing players to move clubs at any time.
While 26% of fans admitted they never go to matches in person, a whopping 75% said they preferred watching from the comfort of their homes. TV was also the go-to source for football news (69%), followed by online articles (53%) and social media (44%).
As for what they love most about the game? Goals, of course, with 66% citing them as the number one reason they tune in.
And in terms of competitions, the Premier League remains king, with nearly half (49%) declaring it their favourite. But not all tournaments are safe, 40% of those tired of football saturation said the Europa Conference League should get the boot.
Credit: Reuters
: R
Whether any of these fan-suggested rule changes ever make it past the fantasy stage remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: supporters aren’t afraid to shake things up, and maybe, just maybe, give diving the red card it truly deserves.
