By John Harrington

All 62 motions were passed at GAA Special Congress today with the changes adopted coming into effect on January 1 next year.

Motion 1 amended the rule that had stated playing gear must be made by an Irish manufacturer to one which is officially licensed by the GAA and in doing so has brought the GAA into line with EU competition law.

The remaining 61 motions have adopted on a permanent basis the Football Review Committee temporary rule changes made at Special Congress last year and amended by Central Council on March 13.

A number of the motions ratified some additional amendments to the FRC rule enhancements.

These include the following:

• If a player moves from the sideline or 45m line before the referee has thrown in the ball to start or restart the game by awarding a free-kick to the opposition from the middle of the half-way line. If opposition players foul simultaneously, the referee will start/restart the game again as normal.
• Kick-outs must now travel 20 metre line as well as the 40 metre arc before being played by another player of the defending team.
• The two-point score has been slightly amended. Previously a shot kicked from outside the 40 metre arc only registered as a two-point score rather than a single point score if it went over the bar without being touched by another player. So, you often had a situation where a goalkeeper getting his hand to a shot from outside the arc on its way over the bar meant it was a single-point score rather than a two-pointer. Now all converted shots from outside the arc count as two-point scores provided no other player from the same team as the shooter touches it after it’s kicked.
• Deliberately denying a goal-scoring opportunity by pulling an opponent’s jersey has now joined the list of cynical behaviour infractions which are penalised with a black card and a penalty.
• The black-card/penalty for cynical behaviour infractions now also applies at club level as well as inter-county senior, U20, minor, and junior level.
• ‘Disruptive conduct’ by team officials will penalised by giving the opposition a free on the 13-metre line. Where the infraction occurs immediately before the start of the game or during the half-time interval, the game shall start or restart with such a 13-metre free.
• Sideline officials have the power to bring to the attention of the referee any foul play or infraction of Rule by a team official.
• If a player advances the ball deliberately from the place where a free or side line kick should be taken, or takes a sideline from a position not outside the boundary line, then a free is awarded to the opposition. Previously a throw-in was awarded in these situations.