In those early years, the game gradually assumed the features we take for granted today. Goal kicks were introduced in 1869 and corner kicks in 1872.
In 1878 a referee used a whistle for the first time. Yet there was no such thing as a penalty up until 1891. In the Public Schools were morden football originated, there was an assumption that a gentleman would never deliberately commit a foul.
Amid the increased competitiveness, however the penalty, or as it was originally called “the kick of death”, was introduced as one of a number of dramatic changes to the laws of the game in 1891.
Penalties of course, had to be awarded by someone and following a proposal from the Irish Association, the referee was allowed on to the field of play.
True to its gentlemanly beginning disputes were originally settled by two team captains, but as the stakes grew, so did the number of complaints.
By the time the first FA Cup and international fixture took place, two umpires, one per team, were being employed to whom each side could appeal. But it was not the ideal solution as decisions were often only reached following lengthy delays. The referee, at first, stood on the touchline keeping time and was ‘referred’ to if the umpires could not agree but that all charged in 1891.
INTRODUCTION OF REFEREE:
From that date (1891) a single person with powers to send players off as well as give penalties and free-kicks without listening to appeals became a permanent fixture in the game. The two umpires became linesmen, or assistant referees’, as they are called today.
Also during a meeting in Scotland, the goal net was accepted into the laws, completing the make-up of the goal after the introduction of the crossbar to replace tape 16 years previously.
With the introduction of rules, the features of the football pitch as we know it slowly began to appear.
The kick-off required a centre spot; keeping players ten yards from the ball at kick-off, brought the centre circle. It is interesting to note that when the penalty came in 1891, it was not taken from a spot but anywhere along a 12-yard line before 1902. FIFA Join IFAB next week……………
