Erling Haaland scores goals like a conveyor belt and is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world. Now the Norwegian has spoken out in favor of rule changes – and explained why
In Manchester City’s official podcast, Erling Haaland made two specific suggestions on how he thinks soccer could be improved. On the one hand, there is goal-line technology, which he would have loved to extend to the entire pitch. “That way, we could always check whether the ball has left the pitch,” argued the 23-year-old.
In addition to monitoring the boundary lines, the throw-ins are also a thorn in the side of the Norwegian. He would like to see more simplicity in this area. “What annoys me are throw-ins,” admitted the beefy striker, saying that it doesn’t really matter whether you “throw in one direction or the other. It doesn’t matter whether you throw the ball straight down, up or however. I would change that.”
The 23-year-old doesn’t seem to be very familiar with the rule, as there is no rule on which direction you should throw. According to rule 15 of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), “when taking a throw-in, the player taking the throw-in must stand, face the pitch, touch the touchline or the ground outside the touchline with both feet and throw the ball in with both hands from behind over the head at the point where the ball left the pitch”.
However, Haaland also admitted that he “doesn’t even know the exact rules” and joked: “If I take a throw-in, I’m probably doing it wrong.” However, he made no secret of the fact that the throw-ins would not be possible without rules. On the one hand, you have to make sure “that you have both hands on the ball”, while on the other, he called for restrictions in two other areas. In order to avoid “stealing” meters, “there should be a limit to how far you can run” and also a limit to “how much time you have” to take the throw-in.
Weeks of truth for Haaland and ManCity
Haaland (27 goals in 30 caps) is currently on international duty with Norway’s national team. Last Friday, he failed to score in the 2-1 defeat against the Czech Republic. The Citizens are one point behind leaders Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC in the Premier League with ten games to go, while Real Madrid await in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and Chelsea FC in the FA Cup semi-finals. Haaland will not be at the European Championships, as Norway did not qualify for the finals.
