Abedi Pele joins FIFA Task Force Football 2014

FC Nania owner, Abedi 'Pele' Ayew has joined FIFA's Task Force Football 2014 as a member.

The group met for the third time on Wednesday as the ex-Ghana captain Abedi Pele and Romanian star Gheorghe Hagi were welcomed to join group chaired by Franz Beckenbauer.

FIFA's Task Force Football 2014 discussed the Fair Play campaign and also debated the offside rule and the objective of making it easier for referees to interpret. Following a discussion, the members of the FIFA Task Force Football 2014 agreed on an amendment to Law 11.

The “triple punishment” of red card, penalty and suspension for offences inside the penalty box was also on the agenda. The general view was that a penalty and a yellow card should be awarded for the least serious fouls committed in the box, with a red card being reserved for only the most dangerous fouls.

The corresponding rule changes will be put to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) for their approval, and included on the agenda of its 126th Annual General Meeting, which will take place on 3 March 2012.

The Task Force members also decided that coaches who have been sent off should not leave the stands at half-time and should not therefore have access to their team’s dressing room.