Major rule changes at the Euros over the years

4) Back-pass Rule

Goalkeepers are not allowed to catch a ball with their hands after a backpass

After EURO 1992, FIFA introduced the backpass rule to goalkeepers, where they were disallowed to handle the ball. Previously goalkeepers could pick up the ball with their hands when a fellow player passed it back to him. This led to an increase in negative play and more importantly, time-wasting.

This resulted in the introduction of the backpass rule which did not allow goalkeepers to handle a backpass anymore. Only a headed or chested ball could be handled, failing which an indirect free kick would be awarded to the opposing team from where the ball had been handled.

This rule has seen teams conceding silly goals as goalkeepers try their best to keep away a backpass from a on-coming opponent striker.