Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
Not sure, but if it is not unprecedented it is certainly very rare. I'll give IFAB and FIFA a little bit of credit, they are being proactive after taking a ton of flack on this rule. The absolute shite storm this would kick off if they sent off a goalkeeper for it during the middle of a penalty shootout to decide who advances or wins the World Cup would be unfathomable. I would expect this rule to get a fairly thorough overhaul by next summer (when IFAB/FIFA issue their annual rule changes) at the very latest, if not ahead of the European leagues resuming this fall.First time rules have ever been changed in the middle of an international tournament?
In other news, Canada's loss to Holland confirms what we expected in that they are not an elite team at this tournament. They now play Sweden in the R16 in a game that they can win, but is a pick 'em at best with Sweden probably being slight favourites. A win would almost certainly see them play Germany in the quarters and the end of their tournament, which is the stage they went out at four years ago and likely a fair reflection of their place in the world. Of course anything can happen in knockout football, so you never know with any of the teams from here on out in the tournament!