Football Modern History & its evolution as most popular sports around the World

10/27/202210/30/2022 subhash 14 Comments football, Football Modern History, most popular sports

Football (Association Football) or Soccer is a physical team game where two teams with 11 players each try to dribble and kick the ball towards opponent team’s goalpost to score the goal. Players can use any part of their body except hands and arms to manoeuvre the ball into the opposition’s goal. Only goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball that too within the penalty area surrounding the goal.

Football is the most popular team sport across the world in terms of participants and spectators. According to football’ governing body, Federation International Football Association (FIFA) estimates, there would be approximately 250 million football players and about 1.3 billion audience by the end of 21^st century.

Table of Contents

Modern History of Football

Modern Football is known to have originated in Britain in 19^th Century. Before medieval times villagers used to play folk football game without any rules & regulations hence resulting into violent and unpleasant incidents. This resulted into bad reputation and the football game went through a patchy phase.

Then came the turning point, some of the English public schools such as Winchester and Eton started game with their own set rules regarding handling of ball. With each school having different handling rules did not provide level playing opportunity for football players. In 1843, University of Cambridge come to the rescue and tried to standardize and codify the rules of play. Cambridge Rules became benchmark for players who joined different clubs to play football. Different clubs from metropolitan London and surrounding counties came out with printed rules in 1863, totally prohibited carrying of the ball. Rugby a form of football where handling of ball is allowed, remained outside the ambit of Football Association (FA). Handling of ball in any way except goalkeeper was totally prohibited in 1870.

The rules were not universally accepted by all clubs across Britain. After so much of efforts the association of Great Britain had agreed upon uniform code for all 43 clubs competing in the competition in 1877.

Professional Football gave new impetus to popularity

Industrialization and urbanization played key role in the development of modern football. Industrial workers working across various industries in British towns and cities in mid-19^th century used to have half day off on Saturday and full day on Sunday, and hence started using their leisure time to either play or watch game of football. Industrial trade unions and schools started forming teams and arranging games for entertainment. Press coverage provided the new impetus to the popularity of the game. Better transport facilities such as railways made it easier for players and fans to visit the playgrounds to play and watch matches. Fast rising popularity of football came in the way of other popular sports like cricket, rugby and baseball.

Commencement of wages for players and entry fees

With rising popularity of football game, some of the leading clubs in Lancashire started entry charges from spectators. In order to attract more skillful and talented players some clubs started paying honorarium to the highly skilled players, even violating the Football Association’s rule of amateurism. Financial reward giving trend for football players grew from strength to strength and FA couldn’t put a proper check on it despite its amateurism policy. The FA even banned two clubs for endorsing professional players, even then the trend could not be checked. Finally in 1885 association gave in and allowed the clubs to pay for the broken time from job. The rising influence of the working-class players in football discouraged the elite classes to turn to other sports such as cricket and rugby.

Establishment of Football League in 1888 made all the difference

Professionalism added needed impetus to the development of football game and it got a new lease of life with the establishment of the Football League (FL) in 1888. The FL was founded by Aton Villa Director William McGregor. Under the aegis of FL 12 leading teams from Northern England and Midlands were allowed to compete with each other in systematic manner. Participating teams rose to 28 by 1893. Thereafter, the Irish and Scot also encouraged to formed leagues by 1890. Despite all these endeavours Football couldn’t made out to be a profit making business. Professional clubs became the limited liability companies and have taken the task of taking lands for building stadiums. Renowned businessmen of England reigned these clubs, and shareholders were not given their due dividends but they derived their satisfaction from enhanced public status.

Inspired by the success of the British Football League other nations across the world also showed interest in British Model. The Netherland started a football league in 1889 but it took 60 years for them to bring in professionalism in 1954. German also started their championship competition in 1903 but they too took six decades to evolve as professional national league. France was another entrant into the professional league in 1932. Latin American countries, Brazil and Argentina too adopted the professional football pattern.

Foundation of FIFA yet another Milestone for Globalization

Football sport’s growth across Europe was very much evident in early 20^th century, but there was not international organization to take development of football sport to next level. Some European Countries’ football association’s representatives founded the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on 21 May 1904. The founding members of FIFA were France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and Switzerland. It is headquartered in Zurich, the biggest city of Switzerland. Main objective of FIFA is the constant improvement and development of the game. England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland were granted FIFA membership by 1911. British Football Associations were apprehensive about the newly formed body. FIFA members adopted the British rules of football established in 1882. Yet British Associations resigned their FIFA membership in 1920 as they could not succeed in persuading other members to expel Germany, Hungary and Austria post World War I. British Associations again joined FIFA in 1924 and insisted not to allow professional players to play in Olympics. This time too other nations did not agree and hence they again resigned in 1928 and remained outside for 18 years. FIFA started the World Cup Championship in 1930 and British teams were not invited for the tournament due to non-member issue. Britain did not participate in three consecutive World Cups (1930, 1934 and 1938). Thereafter for 12 years there was to FIFA World Cup and it was again organized in 1950 when the association allowed two British top teams to participate in it. England which one the home tournament was allowed but runners up Scotland did not participate despite being eligible.

Football was first inducted in Olympics at the London Games in 1908 and since then it has been regularly played in all editions except 1932. FIFA emerged as football’s main governing authority and regulator of football world cup of different versions. In 1961 FIFA included Guinea as its 100^th member, but by the turn of 20^th Century membership of FIFA stood at 200 members.

FIFA started two more tournaments to encourage younger talent to participate relatively at young age. The World Youth Championship was started in 1977 and players who are 20 years old and younger are eligible to participate. Even under 17 years World Championship also started in 1985. Women’s World Cup started in 1987 and was hosted in China. Senior World Cup allowed players under 23 years to participate at the senior level. Any country in the world is eligible to apply for FIFA membership provided the country applying for the same is meeting all standards like the infrastructure and other laid down rules of FIFA.

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Six Continental Confederations to promote football across globe

In the late 19^th century football sport was played by few national teams, England and Scotland being the first teams that played in football competition in 1870s. The whole world is divided into six Confederations. In order to promote the game across the world whole world was divided into six confederations. South America came forward with formation of Confederacion Sudamericana Fútbol (CONMEBOL) in 1916. Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) was founded in 1954. The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) was founded in 1957. The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) was established in 1961. The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) was founded in 1966. These Confederations are empowered to take necessary measures to promote the football sport in their respective regions by organizing club, youth level and international level tournaments. All the Confederations, national associations, football players, leagues and agents come under the ambit of FIFA’s authority and Arbitration Tribunal for settlement of any serious disputes.

FIFA had been controlled by the Northern Europeans till the early 1970s. FIFA adopted conservative approach towards national and continental bodies under the presidencies of two Englishmen Arthur Drewry who was at helm of affair for 6 years from 1955 and Stanley Rous (1961-1974). FIFA sustain itself with modest income from World Cup, and it has neither the fund and nor the will to promote the football sport in developing countries where it was not so popular at that time.

European nations were dominating the FIFA control but with the growing African and Asian membership, this dominance was weakened. As a result Brazilian Joao Havelange was elected the president of FIFA in 1974, most welcome move for developing nations. He brought professionalism to the organization and transformed it into global corporation. With the beginning of widespread coverage of the sport through electronic media from 1980s it got lot of chance to earn billions of dollars through television deals. FIFA started earning handsomely and thus reinvested these earnings for the development of football in developing countries in Asia, Africa and Central America.

Professionalism brings in some evils

use of Enhancement Drugs

With ever increasing popularity and reward winning avenues every player wants to outperform his rival by better performance. Greater professionalism also brought in some unwanted practices by players and the team management. Some teams and individual players had been using performance enhancement drugs since 1930s. In order to put some check on the malpractice FIFA as governing body and regulator introduced drug test in 1966. Willie Johnston of Scotland was found to be under the influence of drug in 1978 World Cup finals. With the passage of time FIFA tightened its regulations and made stricter rules in 1980s. Steroid are used by many athletes at the world level sports events. Diego Maradona, the star player of Argentina was also found to be guilty for using drugs during 1994 World Cup. FIFA regulations call for quite lengthy bans for violators who fail the drug tests, even then discrepancies are bound to occur in any case.

Globalization and Profit Earnings lead to Conflicts

With greater involvement of money chances of corruption in the organization also increased in the 21^st century. FIFA came under much scrutiny after Switzerland’s Sepp Blatter who remained president of the organization for 17 years from 1998, found guilty of corruption. With rising income there were difference of opinions among football’s various groups such as sponsors, clubs, agents, television networks, players, continental associations, and FIFA regarding the staging of football tournaments and distributing of income among constituents. Players from developing countries from different continents sign contract with European clubs for fixed annual income and these clubs decide whether they can play for their nation’ team or not, thus dictating terms and conditions. Different agents act as mediator between the players and clubs and many a times players do not get their due wages due to malpractices on the part of agents. In African Continent some European Agents undermined the importance of the highly skilled players and treated them as slaves and pocketed the major chunk of their contract money.

Strategic moves and match tactics go a long way

There is very tough competition at the world level tournaments. All the teams are equally good and only those teams stand the chance to win which understands the opponents’ game plan well and work out a strategy by viewing the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition’s team. Since the inception of the football sports dribbling the ball past the opponent considered to be a great skill. Being a team game passing the ball to the team members at the right time is very much important. There must be proper understanding among the players of a team to build up any attack on the opponent’s goal. Different playing positions call for different styles and skills in the players. Goalkeeper need to be tall and agile in order to have a great reach to the ball when opponents shoot the ball towards the goal. Central defenders need to be tall and sturdy built as they put a check on the dangerous move made by the opponent team, especially during corner kicks. Fullbacks may be smaller but need to be quicker to clear the ball from danger zone. Midfielders who operate at the middle of the field should be skilful tacklers, energetic and creative playmakers with good and accurate passing skills to create scoring chances for the team mate. Winger must have good speed with the ball and ability to make cross passes to the forwards in front of opponent’s goalpost. Forward should be a good at jumping and may be small and penetrative with quick footwork and should be good shooter from any angle.

Coaches and managers forms varied tactics for different matches. Viewing the opponents ‘strengths and weaknesses playing strategy need to be developed. Coach decides whether to play attacking or counterattacking, slow or fast temp, short or long passing and teamwork or individual attacking game.

Football Formations

Team formation generally don’t count the goalkeeper and depicts the deployment of players by numbers. First number represents defenders, then midfielders and last the attackers.

4-4-2 Formation

This formation refers to four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards. If one defender move to midfield then formation will be 3-5-2. This is also known as Diamond formation.

4-3-3 Formation

This is certainly more attacking formation as instead of two players at forward position three forwards (two wingers and a striker). At the start of the game this formation is not adopted but if the team is trailing by a goal then it may adopt this attacking formation to level the match.

5-3-2 Formation

A defensive formation with three midfielders and two wingers playing at defensive position and two as attackers. This formation can be transformed from defensive to attacking as per the need.

4-5-1 Formation

It is firmly believed that this formation is equally responsible for winnings and losing the game in the midfield battle. This formation is very successful in retaining the lead and not allowing the opponent team to get the chance to level the scores as more midfielder try to control the ball steer clear the ball from danger zones.

Key Ingredients of Football Sport

Football Field, Equipment and other essentials

The International Football Association Board which have delegates from FIFA and four Football Association from Britain are given authority make suitable changes in the laws. There are set standards governed by 17 laws with regard to playground, equipment, players’ conduct and settling of any disputes.

Time Frame

Time Frame: When the game commence each team try to kick the ball into the goal post of the opposing team, keeping in mind any foul play of handling the ball in any case. The match is of 90 minutes duration (excluding timeout) with halftime break of 15 minutes after 45 minutes of play, teams change ends. If the match is levelled within the stipulated time then extra time 30 minutes is allotted and even if there is tie position then penalty kicks decide the winner of the match.

Ball Specification

Ball Specification: The ball is round shaped and is covered either with leather or other suitable material. When inflated its circumference must be 68-70 cm and weigh 410-450 gm.

Playground Dimensions

Playground Dimensions: The playground dimension should be 90-120 meters in length and 45-90 meters in width for International Matches. The penalty area which is in rectangular shape should be 40.2 meters wide and extends 7.3 meters into the field.

Administrative Authority

Administrative Authority: The match is administered by a referee, who also is the timekeeper, is assisted by two assistants who keep watch on the touchlines and signaling when the ball is out of play and when players are offside. Referee is given the power to caution the players if they are violating the games rule. For serious offences and violent act, referee have the option to take strict actions against the offending player.

Dress Code for Players

Dress Code for Players: Players belonging to a particular team need to wear jerseys of designated colour with numbers along with matching shorts and socks. Wearing shoes and shin guards is mandatory. The uniform of the two playing teams should not be identical and goalkeepers’ must be differentiated by uniform. Referee dress should also not match with any of the teams’ uniform.

Rule and Regulations for football sports

In order to discipline the disorderly players, referee is empowered to call fouls so that match can be played in fair manner. Referee can take the decision as per the severity of the foul and give advantage to the team against whom the foul is committed.

Types of Fouls

Some unwanted actions on the part of players called for fouls. Some of the common fouls are mentioned below:

Kicking the opponent player
Tripping
Jumping into the opponent during header
Charging into an opponent
Tackling from behind
Pushing
Tackling and touching the opponent player before touching the ball
Holding and touching the ball with hands if not a goalkeeper.

Serious Offences

In lieu of serious offence, free kick is given to the team against whom foul is committed. During free kick opponent players should stand at 9 meters distance from the ball and kick taker can score the goal directly. Free kick plays decisive role in scoring a goal. If serious foul is committed within the penalty area then penalty corner is granted to the attacking side and taken from 11 meters distance from the goalpost, and only goalkeeper and kick taker will be within the penalty area.

Minor Offences

Minor Offences:For minor offences indirect kick is awarded which cannot be taken towards goal directly.

Caution (Yellow Card)

The player can be shown the yellow caution card for following reasons:

unsportsmanlike like behaviour on the field
Arguing with the referee
Committing lot of minor fouls
Delaying tactics
Entering and leaving the field without informing the referee.

Eviction (Red Card)

Red card is shown by the referee for serious foul such as

Violent action against other players or referee
Using hand to stop a goal if not a goalkeeper
Using abusing language and receiving a second yellow car
Red Card invite eviction of player from the game and can’t be substituted.

Goalkeeper’s Fouls

The Goalkeeper has to follow set rules otherwise invite penalty. Goalkeeper can be called for foul for following reasons:

Keeping the ball in his hand for more than six seconds,
Touching the ball again with his hands if the teammate has again given him a back pass
Touching the ball with hands directly during throw-in by his teammate.

Offside Rule

There were amendment in offside rule prior to 1925 the attacking player was used to declared offside if there were less than three players between him and the goalpost when the ball was played to him. It was amended and the number of intervening players reduced to two. Every team is allowed to bring in three substitutes in a match. Goalkeeper can’t keep the ball in his hand for more than six seconds and thus discouraged for time wasting tactic. As per FIFA rules referee is the ultimate authority to decide whether the goal is valid or not.

FAQs on Football

Q. When was FIFA founded?
Ans. FIFA was formed in 1904 by group of seven European nations.
Q. Who were the founding members of FIFA?
Ans. Most surprisingly England from where the modern football originated was not among the founding members. Spain, Switzerland, France, The Netherland, Denmark, Sweden and Belgium were the founding members of FIFA with its headquarter in Zurich, the biggest city of Switzerland.
Q. Why was England not allowed to participate in the first three World Cups?
Ans. When FIFA Started the Football World Cup Tournament in 1930 it only allowed only the members of FIFA to participate in it. As England was not the member of
FIFA so it was not allowed to participate.
Q. Which country hosted the first FIFA World Cup?
Ans. Uruguay hosted the first FIFA World Cup in 1930 and turned victorious at the tournament.
Q. Why was there no FIFA World Cup from 1938 to 1960?
Ans. Due to unfavourable prevailing circumstances and hostile atmosphere due to World War there was no tournament for 12 years.