Eriksson calls for rule changes

City boss wants Fifa to clarify the laws

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 9th February 2008

Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson

Eriksson: Confused by current rules

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Sven-Goran Eriksson would like to see Fifa clarify the offside rule in order to avoid the confusion which is currently hitting the game.

Ever since the governing body decided that a player must be 'active' in order to be penalised there has been bemusement all round.

With the law open to personal interpretation it has become almost impossible for any continuity within the rule to be implemented.

As a result countless managers have been openly critical of the situation and Manchester City boss Eriksson is just the latest in a long line to call for a return to a "black and white" ruling.

Grey area

"Now, (the offside rule) is in need of clarification," he said. "When even the referee is telling you it is grey something is wrong.

"Make it black and white, don't make it grey.

"I don't think you can do anything about it in England. You have to do it at a Fifa level.

"If you are the Premier League or Serie A or La Liga you have to follow them and that is it.

"It is more an international question than a national one."

Great decision

One amendment to the rules which Eriksson is pleased to have seen introduced is the fact that from next season Premier League clubs will be allowed to name seven substitutes for league games.

"Congratulations to the Premier League after many, many years, too many years, for finally deciding you can have seven players on the bench. Now it is like the rest of the world," he said.

"I am very happy. It is a great decision and one which should have been taken many years ago."

Caicedo choice

Currently preparing for an emotional Manchester derby on Sunday, Eriksson has also ruled out the prospect of new signing Felipe Caicedo making his debut at Old Trafford after previously suggesting that the Ecuadorian may have been involved at some point.

"At 19 years old I think I'd be putting a lot of pressure on him if I let him play away at Old Trafford after two training sessions," he said.

"He maybe doesn't even know all the names of our players yet."