Rules panel consider keeper movement

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP):

World football's rule-making panel says it wants to give goalkeepers more freedom to move when facing a penalty. Currently, the Laws of the Game state goalkeepers "must remain on the goal line ... until the ball has been kicked."

The panel, known as the International Football Association Board (IFAB), now proposes "needing only one foot on the goal line when a penalty is taken," allowing goalkeepers to begin moving forward earlier.

IFAB met yesterday to identify several changes it wants to approve at a March 2 meeting, and take effect June 1.

Proposals include: ending trials with penalty shoot-outs to return to teams alternating kicks; cutting time wasting by forcing substituted players to leave the field at the nearest spot, writing a more precise wording for non-deliberate handball offences.