The Friday List of Little or No Consequence #109

Change for the better

12 Early Rule Changes That Transformed The Sport Of Football

1. The offiside rule as we know it today was implemented - 1873
2. Teams forced to change ends at half-time - 1874
3. Introduction of the crossbar (rather than a piece of tape) - 1875
4. Match length set at 90 minutes - 1877
5. Referees start using whistles - 1878
6. Clubs start charging for admission - 1880
7. Two-handed throw-in introduced - 1882
8. The penalty kick introduced - 1891
9. Goalkeepers only able to handle the ball in their penalty area - 1912
10. Players able to score a goal direct from a corner - 1924
11. Shirt numbering made compulsory - 1939
12. Use of a white ball permitted - 1951