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'Triple sanction' left off next IFAB agenda

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) will, however, discuss proposed changes to the drop-ball and offside rules which football's governing body FIFA hopes will make referees' decisions more clear-cut and less open to interpretation.

IFAB will also review the additional linesmen who have been used by European football's governing body UEFA but shunned by FIFA, when it meets in Edinburgh on March 2.

Dortmund's Marcel Schmelzer was judged to have handled the ball to stop a goal-bound shot but replays showed that the ball hit his knee.

A penalty was awarded, Schmelzer sent off and Wolfsburg, losing 1-0 and completely outplayed, hit back to win 3-2. Referee Wolfgang Stark later apologised and Schmelzer's suspension was annulled.

FIFA also wants to change the rule to make it clear that a player in an offside position is considered to be gaining an advantage if the ball comes to him following a deliberate save by the opposing goalkeeper, but not from an opponent "who deliberately plays the ball".

"The current wording creates many discussions as it gives too much room for interpretation and is not precise enough," said FIFA.

"The new text is more in line with actual game situations and will eliminate the confusion regarding what is meant by rebound, deflection and when the ball has been deliberately saved."

On drop-balls, FIFA has proposed keeping the rule the same but inserting the words "not touched by another player" to clarify the meaning of the term "direct".