Soccer-International Board to consider standard sized pitches

By Mark Ledsom

BERNE, Switzerland, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The International Football Association Board (IFAB) will consider a proposal to standardise the size of international pitches when it meets in Scotland next month.

The IFAB, which rules on any changes to the laws of the game, has received a proposal from the Welsh FA that would set down a standard pitch size of 105 x 68 metres for all international games.

According to an agenda for the March 8 meeting released by world soccer's governing body FIFA on Wednesday, the Welsh FA will argue that the current ability to vary the size of pitches can be used to disadvantage visiting teams.

"The present law allows a host country to vary the size of the pitch to suit the needs of the 'home' team to the disadvantage of their opponents," said the reasoning accompanying the proposal.

"By standardising the size of the pitch for international matches this will make sure that the games are played in the spirit of Fair Play."

The laws of the game state that pitches used for internationals must have a length of between 100 and 110 metres and a width of 64 to 75 metres.

The IFAB will also continue its discussions on the use of goal-line technology and evaluate two rival systems aimed at determining if the match ball has crossed the goal-line.

As part of its own efforts to limit the use of technology in the sport, FIFA will seek permission from the IFAB to carry out trials involving the use of two additional 'goalmouth' assistant referees at one of its tournaments.