The RFEF National Futsal Committee has informed national category clubs via email that regulatory changes will be implemented this season. These rule amendments were introduced hastily, without the consensus of clubs and coaches, and will take effect during the preseason. One prominent example is the Primera Iberdrola Femenino, which begins next weekend with new rules, even though teams haven’t trained or played friendlies under them.
The Second Division B starts on September 14, the Second Division on the 21st, and the First Division is postponed until October 12 due to the World Cup in Uzbekistan. Men’s First and Second Division clubs were first notified of these changes on July 9. But no further communication occurred until August 16, when another meeting was held. After more than a month of teams already preparing, the National Futsal Committee reconvened to explain the modifications in detail.
One significant change is that players can now choose to take a throw-in with either their hand or foot. A proposal from Spain that will be tested experimentally in the country. At the season’s end, data from the First Division will be analyzed to help FIFA decide whether to adopt the rule globally. However, concerns have been raised that pressure from other futsal powers like Portugal and Brazil might lead to the experiment’s failure. Brazilian coach Marquinhos Xavier has publicly criticized the change, describing it as a “step backwards.”
Another rule limits communication between players and referees to team captains, a rule that will be more strictly enforced this season. Other major changes, such as preventing the goalkeeper’s kick from crossing midfield without a bounce and making yellow cards issued to the bench cumulative, were initially uncertain but were approved by FIFA last Monday. These rules will also be implemented globally.
Coaches Opposition
Despite opposition from coaches, including Juanlu Alonso, who argued that the timing of these changes is problematic, the National Futsal Committee has moved forward with them unilaterally. Antonio García Plata, an advisor to the committee’s president, José Miguel Monje, has been a key figure in pushing through the changes. Which have been met with frustration from clubs and coaches. On September 3, despite widespread dissatisfaction, the new rules were approved under the rationale of enhancing the game’s appeal.
Javier Lozano, president of the National Futsal League, expressed criticism on LinkedIn. Questioning the decision to change the rules in August without consulting stakeholders and before FIFA’s official approval. He described the situation as turning top-level competition into a “guinea pig” for reckless decision-making that disregards the efforts of coaches and the financial investments of clubs.
