Fifa plan bigger goals
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fifa is proposing to enlarge the size of goals to make football a more attractive sport, writes Catherine Riley. Sepp Blatter, the general secretary of the game's world governing body, revealed to the German magazine Stern that plans were in already in motion to make the changes.
"The guardians of the rules are in agreement to lengthen the goals by the diameter of two balls, around 50cm, and to increase the height by the diameter of one ball," he explained.
Blatter said Fifa's international board was considering the plan and would reach a decision in March, which would be followed by a test period. The changes would not be introduced for the 1998 World Cup.
The future of basketball-style time-outs, already being tested, looks uncertain. "Footballers are so conservative," Blatter said. "The mood in favour of time-outs is currently under 50 per cent."
Blatter said the World Cup would be marked by one change, however. "We will certainly have better-trained, younger, faster and fitter referees," he promised.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments