AS I have mentioned in this column before, there has been a multitude of changes to the Laws of the Game in the last three seasons.

This year I have counted another 32.

To be fair to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), who write the Laws, many of these have been brought about by the introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) at the Federation de International Football Associations (FIFA) World Cup.

Six of the world’s major leagues had been using VAR during the past season, but these were experiments or trials.

When FIFA said they would use it in Russia, the IFAB had to get to work and incorporate its use in the Laws.

It also introduces a whole new collection of initials like VAR itself.

Some of these additions are quite simple, but create new offences which players may possibly commit.

For instance, it is now a yellow card offence if a player follows a referee into the RRA (Referee Review Area).

This is, of course, where the television is housed pitch side to enable the referee to watch a replay of any disputed incident before making up his mind.

Somewhat more severe is the red card a player would receive for entering the VOR (Video Operating Room), where the VAR along with his assistant (AVAR) and the RO (Review Operator) are based.

This would have been a little difficult to do at the World Cup, as the VOR for all games was housed in a building in the middle of Moscow.

However, the VOR can be located at any stadium with a suitable room.

It is also possible for it to be operated from a van, say in the car park at any ground, but will need some security.

There is another new offence brought about by VAR, which players can commit without going anywhere.

This is by excessively making the sign of a television screen to the on-field referee, to indicate that they think he should make a visit to the RRA.