During the Otten Innovation Cup, it's not just the players who are adapting to new rules; the referees are also navigating these changes. How are they experiencing these adjustments? We spoke with referee Preston Henshuijs to find out how he feels about officiating under these new conditions.
What do you think about refereeing with the new rules?
It takes some getting used to, as you're dealing with both the usual rules and the new adjustments. But after a few matches, you start to get the hang of it, just like the players.
How do you find the changes in the rules?
They definitely have their benefits. For example, stopping the clock makes time-wasting almost pointless. Dead-ball situations are now resumed much faster. In situations like a kick-in or dribble, you can see players immediately realise they need to pick up the pace when I raise my hand. But players also test the limits, like holding onto the ball longer or not placing it exactly on the line. Even though the clock doesn't run, they use this to create a break in play or disrupt the game’s rhythm, which can sometimes lead to unsporting behavior. This requires us to be stricter.
How much resistance do you encounter on the field regarding the new rules?
The resistance is relatively low. Where there would normally be a throw-in, we now have a kick-in. If it takes too long, I award the right to play the ball to the other team. You see little protest then, more a sense of frustration that they took too long.
Which rule would you like to implement in professional football tomorrow, and why?
There are several rules I’d consider implementing. The self-pass is definitely one, as well as the dribble-in and kick-in. It's actually strange that you can do everything with your feet except for throw-ins. Additionally, I would introduce pure playing time immediately in professional football; it works really well. For amateurs, it would be useful too, although you’d need the right measuring equipment, which makes it a bit more complicated. These rules promote the Fair Play principle. Pure playing time and the other adjustments help with that. The time penalty, where players feel the direct consequences of their fouls, is something I’d like to see as well. It makes them aware of their behaviour and the impact on the entire team.
Have the referees reached any conclusions about the new rules yet?
This is my first time applying these rules, but you need to try them out more often to make a proper judgment. We want to filter out the negative effects, of course. There are already a lot of positive elements, like the hand-raising and effective playing time. But the key question is: what happens to the game if we implement all of this? Overall, I see it as a positive development. It's a great innovation in football, just like the VAR was. Players now have less time to comment on our decisions because they want to restart play quickly. Time-wasting, like feigning injuries or holding onto the ball, becomes almost impossible.