Football’s rules should protect players — not create dangerous situations or reward reckless actions. But today, the “high foot / dangerous play” interpretation does exactly that.

This rule has led to controversial decisions and match disruptions, and it is increasingly clear that it no longer fits the reality of modern football.

 
⚠️ The Current Rule Is Backwards and Unsafe
Under the current interpretation:

A player can lower his head into a dangerous area,
Arrive late into an opponent’s natural movement,
Create the collision himself,
And still be rewarded with a foul or penalty.
This is a perverse incentive that increases the risk of head injuries.

By guaranteeing favorable decisions to the player who initiates head‑first contact, the rule incentivizes players to place their heads in dangerous positions, increasing both the likelihood and severity of injury.

A safety rule that creates danger is a broken rule.

 

⚽ The Rule Punishes Skill Instead of Protecting Players
The current interpretation fails to consider the athletic nature of modern football, where players routinely perform agile, acrobatic movements.

As a result, clean, skillful plays are frequently misconstrued as dangerous, leading to unwarranted cards and penalties — and growing frustration among players and fans.

When a player is already airborne, he cannot:

stop mid‑air
change direction
see a player arriving from behind
Yet referees are required to punish him anyway.

This produces unfair match outcomes and undermines the spirit of fair play.

 

📢 What We Are Asking For
We call on the U.S. Soccer Federation to:

Review the current “high foot / dangerous play” interpretation, and
Submit a proposal to IFAB to revise the rule so that responsibility lies with the player who creates the danger — not the one already committed to a legal action.
A simple, logical fix is possible:

If a player enters the danger area late and initiates head‑first contact, he should be responsible for the collision — not the player performing a legal movement.
This would reduce injuries, restore fairness, and protect the spirit of the game we love so much.

 

✍️ Add Your Name
We urge football’s governing bodies to maintain the sport’s integrity and safety while allowing players the freedom to showcase their natural athletic abilities.

If you believe football should be safer, fairer, and more logical, please sign this petition.

Your signature will be included in a formal submission to the U.S. Soccer Federation.