**Football Fans Reveal Top 20 Ways to Improve the Beautiful Game**
Football is a sport beloved by millions worldwide, yet, if its most passionate followers were in charge, the game would look markedly different. A recent survey of 2,000 football supporters has highlighted the top 20 changes fans would make, providing a fascinating snapshot of what viewers genuinely desire from their favourite pastime. Opinions range from a yearning for tradition to suggestions for dramatic overhauls, reflecting both nostalgia and calls for reform.
One of the most popular suggestions was the introduction of a salary cap on players’ earnings. In an era when footballers can command astronomical wages, many see a cap as a vital step towards levelling the playing field and maintaining a sense of fairness within clubs. This idea is followed closely by calls for 3pm Saturday kick-offs to be broadcast live on television. Although traditionally these fixtures have been protected from live broadcast in an effort to encourage attendance at lower-league matches, a large proportion of fans argue that TV coverage at this time would enhance their matchday experience.
Interestingly, while some want more football on screen, there are others who feel the sport is already over-exposed. A polarising proposal called for the complete removal of the Europa Conference League from television schedules, suggesting a feeling among certain supporters that not all football is created equal when it comes to delivering excitement and value.
The survey, conducted on behalf of OLBG, captured a number of inventive ideas around the rules of the game itself. One well-supported proposal is the introduction of a stop clock to guarantee that injury time is accurately measured. This would go some way in addressing long-standing frustrations about time-wasting and inconsistent stoppage periods. Another notable mention was stricter penalties for diving – with red cards favoured as a deterrent to simulation.
Changes to officiating were also a strong theme. Some fans are advocating for referees to wear microphones, so decisions can be explained to both stadium crowds and TV audiences, emulating practices seen in rugby. Others would simplify the much-maligned handball rule, or even eliminate video assistant referees (VAR) altogether, arguing that technology has, at times, complicated rather than clarified contentious decisions.
Of course, not all proposals are rooted in the present. A notable slice of respondents want a return to ‘Golden Goal’ — a concept scrapped years ago, where matches in knockout stages would be immediately concluded by a deciding goal in extra time. Additionally, there were calls for a reduction in the number of substitutes allowed from five back down to three, aiming to preserve the traditional rhythm of the game.
Commercialisation and entertainment outside the core action remain contentious issues for supporters. More than half rejected the idea of adopting NFL-style half-time shows, underscoring a widespread preference for the match itself to take centre stage, without American-style spectacle. Similarly, 70% of those surveyed believed the modern game has become hyper-commercialised, and would prefer to see a return to a simpler, more authentic footballing culture.
It’s clear that watching from home remains the preferred option for most fans, with three-quarters stating their preference for televised matches over attending live games. Television has also become the primary source of football news, outstripping newspapers and even online social media. Despite advances in technology intended to engage audiences further, many supporters feel that football does not benefit from peripheral entertainment or excessive rule changes.
Jake Ashton, OLBG’s football betting expert, discussed the findings, pointing out, “Fans invest incredible amounts of passion, time, and money into football. While many of these proposed changes may never come to pass, there’s a genuine argument for some to be taken seriously if the game wants to stay connected to its grassroots support.”
In summary, the top 20 fan suggestions covered a spectrum of ideas, including salary and spending caps, stricter rules on diving, referees with microphones, scrapping transfer windows, and even allowing kick-ins instead of throw-ins. While not all of these may be practical or likely, they underline the point that football remains a sport shaped by deep connection and strong opinion — and perhaps that, sometimes, less interference makes for a better game.
As the debate continues, it remains clear that fans are keen for football’s custodians to prioritise the match itself and maintain its core spirit, rather than succumbing to ever-increasing commercial or technological distractions. Whether or not any of these suggestions find their way onto the rulebook, it’s a timely reminder that the heart of football still beats strongest on the terraces and in living rooms across the country.