Ilmo. Mr.

FIFA President

Doctor John Havelange

In response to his kind request for an evaluation of the experiments in the Rules during the 1st U.17 World Cup of Football, held in Italy in 1991, we manifest.

As for the change of Rule XII: “on any occasion when a player deliberately passes the ball to his own goalkeeper, then the goalkeeper cannot take the ball with his hands.” I am sure that their approval and immediate inclusion in the Text of the Laws of the Game will bring enormous benefits to football games, as it will certainly make matches more beautiful, by requiring, even from defenders and goalkeepers more attention, better positioning and use of technical resources, more exciting by the possibility of the attackers scoring the opposing defenders trying to take the ball in a goal danger zone,  without these having the help of the hands of goalkeepers; and, above all, that the ball time effectively in play will grow a lot, thus increasing the chances of teams translating into goals this time of ball in game increased.

I also suggest that the approved text be clear and incisive, not giving room for interpretations such as that of the Championship Arbitration Commission that accepted that the ball could be delayed at the hands of the goalkeeper by head or chest pass.

I think that except involuntarily, the ball cannot be passed with any part of the body in the hands of the goalkeeper, nor the goalkeeper can use his hands after receiving the ball, passed with any other part of the body. If you have chosen to play with your feet or head you should continue playing as a line player.

During the training period and the competition did not occur once that my defensive players needed to use the ball retreat to the goalkeepers. Only in the opening game, USA vs. ITALY, the American archer, in a ball retreated low by the defender, instead of dome it with his feet and play, caught it with his hands and was punished with indirect free-kick.

As for the change in the Impediment Law, proposed on an experimental basis in Rule XI: the lines currently drawn parallel to the lines of goals and at a distance of 18 yards from the goal will be extended until they join the sidelines on each side of the field. A player will not be declared prevented by a judge if at the time the ball is passed to him by a teammate, he is more than 18 yards from the opponent’s goal line (the entire back line). I think it demands new periods of experimentation and, especially in a long-term competition such as a Championship, with professional and adult teams, when then you can more accurately evaluate the results.

From what I have seen in this period of preparation and competition, I think that the change experienced can bring benefits to Football making it more active, dynamic and run, with more chances of goals, therefore more exciting and attractive.

I did not detect a disadvantage, except for the level of compaction that depends not only on the desire to approach the athletes of the same team, but also on the positioning and distribution of opponents. If a team leaves one player closed of the 18-yard line, natural that the opponent will leave to guard it at least one player of its own, if the team leaves 2 there advanced and not prevented, of course the precaution leads to leave there 2 defenders. In many situations, a figure of 5 x 5 was created at the entrance of one area, and 5 x 5 in the other. And in the resumption of the ball, the player with the pelota ran to the other area, which was not beautiful.

I saw in the competition under the experiment in question that the game gets more run from area to   area, almost always 5 x 5, or around this, with many spaces for the team that gains possession of the ball to progress, and with difficulties for defensive players to cover each other by putting themselves further away than under the traditional Rules in force and, therefore, increasing the emotions of the game, the individual moves and the dribbles in sequence, so beautiful, today so rare.

I also realized that the distribution of players on the field changes, giving scope to conjecture that new Game Systems and Tactics will arise, similar to what occurred in 1925 when the Impediment Act was changed. Individual characteristics will also change in all sectors of the field, but mainly those of midfield and attack.

I would say that it is possible that the changes are so profound, that it would be a new stage of experiments to be sure that the objectives that FIFA intends with innovation are: more fluid, lighter and more beautiful game, more emotions and even more goals, less violence and etc… is effectively achieved, without risk of later being necessary to return to the previous form.

Dear FIFA’s President,

Dr. João Havelange,

these are my impressions of what I have seen, experienced and felt about the experiments in The Rules XI and XII of the Laws of Football.

Honored to receive your request, here I say goodbye to making wishes for health, peace and happiness!

Best regards

On 10.09.1991,

Julio Cesar Leal Junior

By Jucele

Julio Leal

January the 3^rd, 2023