Last Thursday saw the 135th annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board, held this year in Wales.
What is the IFAB and what does it do?
These are other questions I get asked, so let me indulge in a little history.
Most people know that in 1863, a number of ex-public schoolboys met in a tavern in London. They played for different football clubs, who all had their own rules.
The day ended with the formation of the FA. It took another six meetings before agreement of a set of rules to which all the clubs would play. The word spread with all clubs in the country wanting to play competitive football, joined the FA,
This covered only England whilst football was also played in Scotland, Ireland and Wales to differing rules. So in 1883 the International Football Association Board was formed with the sole purpose of agreeing the rules to be played by the clubs in the four home nations. Each country was to have one vote in any proposed changes.
This meant it was now possible for international matches to take place.
But football spread worldwide, greatly due to ex-public schoolboys who went to work or live overseas.
Their clubs too formed national, even continental associations or federations which in turn became members of FIFA, the Federation of International Football Associations, established in 1904.
When FIFA joined IFAB in 1913 this meant that clubs all over the world, from the local village rec to the World Cup, would play to the same rules now called laws. The home nations still retained their one vote each but FIFA has four. All changes to the Laws have to have at least six to two votes in favour, so FIFA could block any changes if it wished.
The IFAB has two committees to help its work, the technical committee, which is manned by ex-referees from across the world.
David Elleray, former Premier League referee is the director. Alongside is the football committee consisting of world-wide ex-footballer or officials.
For example, representing Trinidad and Tobago was Shaka Hislop, one of Reading FC’s most popular former goalkeepers.
By Dick Sawdon Smith
