English football’s lower leagues have voted to prohibit the use of towels to dry the ball before throw-ins, putting an end to the sight of players meticulously preparing the ball before launching it into their opponents’ penalty area. The rule amendment was approved at the annual meeting of the English Football League (EFL) clubs.
This ban not only applies to towels but also prevents players from using clothing items provided by fans. An incident occurred in November when a Rotherham United supporter offered his jumper to defender Wes Harding to wipe the ball before a throw-in.
While the long throw-in technique may not be considered one of football’s more elegant skills, it has proven to be highly effective in the right hands. The rule change could impact League Two newcomers Wrexham, a club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Wrexham’s defender Ben Tozer’s long throw-ins were a constant threat last season, contributing to the team’s promotion and the surge in their fan base due to the popular documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham.”
Starting from the 2023-24 season, the EFL will also adopt the Premier League’s multi-ball system to expedite gameplay. Match balls will be positioned on cones in designated areas at the side of the pitch, aiming to increase the amount of time the ball remains in play, as stated by the EFL.
Additionally, clubs have approved regulatory changes to strengthen the owners’ and directors’ test, including the prohibition of individuals who are subject to sanctions. The league will also disallow involvement from state-owned enterprises of sanctioned countries.
