German Referee Patrick Ittrich Proposes Controversial Changes to Football Rules

• Bundesliga referee Patrick Ittrich wants to see a raft of changes introduced into the game
• The official has proposed some ways in which the game can combat time wasting tactics
• Ittrich also wants officials to be protected from insults by the players after calls are made

The Arsenal game versus Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on January 3 left a sour taste in many fans' mouths.

Head Coach, Mikel Arteta was incensed after centre referee, Andrew Madley failed to award two controversial penalty kicks.

But amidst the penalty claims, new statistics have also shown that the ball was only in play for around 43 minutes, as Newcastle resorted to time-wasting tactics to peg Arsenal back.

Time-wasting has often been a major issue in football, with FIFA giving longer periods of added time at the Qatar World Cup.

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German referee, Patrick Ittrich has now proposed a new set of rules that are bound to ruffle a few feathers if adopted.

As DW Sports reports, the German official wants all fouls in the middle of the pitch to be taken 17 metres from the goal of the guilty party. He argues this will reduce fouls drastically as at the proposed distance, it becomes a clear-cut chance for a team to score.

The Bundesliga referee also wants players who roll on the floor multiple times after getting injured to be subjected to a time-out of three minutes. This will be in a bid to make sure the player stands up quickly if he hasn't suffered a serious injury.

The referee also wants the officials to be respected if a player insults them. He wants to see footballers banned from the field for 10 minutes to combat such incidents.

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Ittrich's comments come after Arsene Wenger's proposed change to the offside rule.

The legendary head coach, turned head of FIFA Chief of Global Football Development, argues that 'a player should be judged offside only if any part of the body with which he can score a goal is past the last defender.'

What do you make of the proposals?

Fans slam Arteta's behaviour

Sports Brief had earlier reported that touchline antics have earned Arteta some criticism online, after Arsenal’s 0-0 draw against Newcastle United on Tuesday, January 4.

The Magpies put out a dogged performance to thoroughly frustrate the league leaders, as they came out with a deserved point at the Emirates Stadium.

There were some contentious moments in the game however, and none was more significant than an incident late in the second half.