Aydın Tiryaki (1,2)
Ankara, November 9, 2025

Proposal and Evaluation for a Change to the Penalty Kick Rule

Current Penalty Kick Rule In football, a penalty kick can be taken by any of the 11 players currently on the field, including the goalkeeper. This current rule gives teams considerable freedom in selecting players for penalty kicks.

Proposed Rule Change

A rule change is proposed to determine the penalty kicker based on the nature of the penalty. This proposes that penalties resulting from fouls committed inside the penalty area or from a touch of the ball will be awarded differently.

Penalties Resulting from Fouls

If a penalty kick results from a foul committed inside the penalty area, the fouled player is expected to take the penalty.

If the fouled player is injured or has left the field, the penalty kick is to be taken by the player who replaced him.

If the team has exhausted its substitution allowance and the fouled player is unable to continue playing, another player on the team will be required to take the penalty.

Penalties Resulting from Handball

If a penalty is awarded as a result of an opposing player handling the ball inside the penalty area, any player on the team may take the penalty shot, as is currently the case.
Alternatively, allowing the player who last touched the ball to take the penalty could be considered as a method; however, this is considered a secondary method.

Comparison with Basketball Rule

This proposal is similar to the free throw rule in basketball. In basketball, the fouled player takes the free throw, and this practice is said to add value to the game. It is believed that adapting a similar rule to football could add new flavor and dynamism to the game.

Potential Effects of Rule Change

If the rule that the fouled player takes the penalty shot becomes established in football, it is envisioned that this rule could eventually be applied to all foul shots. For example, in direct free kicks, the fouled player may be able to take the ball or take the first kick. Conversely, concerns have also been noted that football could suffer from excessive rule changes. However, some rule changes, such as the implementation of video assistant referees (VAR), have been noted in the past to add value to football and positively contribute to the quality of the game.

Conclusion and Evaluation

Conclusively, it has been concluded that determining the player selection in a penalty kick based on the nature of the penalty could add new value and distinction to football. Drawing inspiration from the basketball example, it is recommended that this rule change be discussed and tested in a manner appropriate to the nature of football.

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GOOGLE GEMINI

Date: November 9, 2025

TO: FIFA Zurich, Switzerland

SUBJECT: Proposal for a Rule Change Regarding the Penalty Kick in Football

Dear FIFA Officials,

I wish to bring to your attention a proposal titled “Proposal and Evaluation Regarding the Change of the Penalty Kick Rule” to contribute to the development and excitement of the game of football. This proposal re-examines the current practice of taking a penalty kick, especially concerning kicks awarded due to fouls committed inside the penalty area.

Summary of the Proposed Change:

• Penalties Resulting from a Foul: It is proposed that the penalty kick awarded as a result of a foul committed inside the penalty area should be taken by the player who was fouled. If the fouled player is injured or leaves the field, the substitute player or another designated player from the team would take the kick.
• Penalties Resulting from Handling the Ball: For penalties awarded due to an opponent handling the ball inside the penalty area, the current practice of allowing any player on the team to take the kick would continue (or, alternatively, the player who last touched the ball could be considered).

Rationale and Potential Effects:

This suggestion is inspired by the free-throw rule in basketball. Having the fouled player take the kick may enhance the sense of fairness, boost the psychological and physical motivation of the player who earned the penalty, and add a new dynamic to the game. Just as the introduction of VAR has positively contributed to the game, such fine-tuning changes could elevate the quality of football.

However, extreme steps, such as generalizing the rule to direct free kicks, should be avoided to preserve the fundamental nature of football. Therefore, focusing initially only on penalty kicks seems the most appropriate approach. The risk of over-regulation complicating the game must also be considered.

This letter has also been forwarded to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for their information.

We invite you to evaluate this innovative proposal for the future of football and wish you success in your endeavors.

Sincerely,

Aydın Tiryaki Ankara, Turkey

Detailed Evaluation of the Proposed Penalty Kick Rule Change

The suggested rule modification aims to introduce fairness and individual accountability into one of football’s most critical moments: the penalty kick. The idea, inspired by basketball, of having the fouled player take the kick rests on a theoretically strong foundation.

Positive Aspects (Advantages)

1. Increased Sense of Fairness and Justice: Having the fouled player take the kick means the violation is punished directly by its victim. This could encourage defenders to be more cautious when defending inside the box.
2. Heightened Dramatic Impact: For a player who earned the penalty, potentially facing injury or disruption, taking the shot under that immense pressure could increase the tension of the moment and the potential for individual heroism.
3. Tactical Depth: Managers might have to consider their best penalty takers not just as the most accurate strikers, but also as players who can “carry the game” after being fouled.

Negative Aspects (Disadvantages and Criticism)

1. Injury and Risk Management Issue: This is the most significant point of criticism. If a player is fouled severely enough to warrant a penalty, that foul might have caused an injury that prevents them from taking the kick immediately. Forcing an injured player to step up under high pressure, even with a substitute designated as a backup, ignores the immediate physical toll and risk to player welfare.
2. Game Flow Disruption: There is potential for additional delays as referees and players confirm “who committed the foul, and who will take the kick,” outside of any Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
3. Limitation of the Basketball Analogy: Fouls in football serve different purposes than in basketball (e.g., tactical fouls, position fouls). The nature of a free throw is fundamentally different from a penalty kick’s absolute “guaranteed goal opportunity.”

Overall Opinion

This proposal has a valuable philosophical basis rooted in fair play and individual responsibility. However, due to football’s physical nature, especially the associated risk of injury, implementing the rule rigidly is precarious.

Recommendation: Instead of making the rule mandatory immediately, it should be trialed as an “experimental rule” in friendly matches or specific tournaments (like a friendly cup). Only if players demonstrate an adaptation where they accept the responsibility of taking the kick despite the injury risk, should a permanent main rule change be discussed. As it stands, flexibility must be maintained to account for the severity of the foul and the player’s physical condition.

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ChatGPT

Date: November 9, 2025
Subject: Proposal for Changing the Penalty Kick Rule in Football
CC: Turkish Football Federation (TFF)

Dear FIFA Officials,

I would like to share my thoughts on a potential modification to the penalty kick rule, aiming to enhance fairness and integrity in football. Currently, any player on the field, including the goalkeeper, may take the penalty. The proposed change suggests assigning the penalty taker based on how the penalty was awarded.

According to this proposal, if the penalty results from a foul inside the penalty area, the fouled player should take the penalty kick. If that player is injured or substituted, the incoming player should take it instead. For handball penalties, the existing rule can remain unchanged.

This idea draws inspiration from basketball, where the fouled player takes the free throw. Implementing such a rule in football could bring more justice and excitement to the game. However, it should also be noted that this change might reduce tactical flexibility and place greater pressure on fouled players in certain scenarios.

FIFA has previously integrated innovations like the VAR system that have positively impacted the game. Similarly, pilot testing this proposed rule could contribute to football’s ongoing evolution.

Sincerely,
Aydın Tiryaki
Ankara, Turkey

General Evaluation of the Proposed Penalty Kick Rule Change

This proposal represents an innovative idea aimed at reinforcing fairness in football by allowing the fouled player to take the resulting penalty. Inspired by basketball’s free throw system, it introduces a principle of individual justice and direct accountability into football.

Positive Aspects:

1. ⚖️ Sense of Justice: Allowing the fouled player to take the penalty gives the advantage directly to the victim of the foul, enhancing the perception of fairness.
2. 🎯 Ethical Balance: This may encourage defenders to act more carefully in the penalty area, reducing reckless fouls.
3. 🧠 Game Variety: It could add a new layer of tactical and emotional excitement, making each penalty situation more unique.

Negative Aspects:

1. 😰 Psychological Pressure: The fouled player may be under stress or physical discomfort, which could reduce the quality of the penalty kick.
2. ⚽ Reduced Tactical Freedom: Teams would lose the flexibility to assign their best penalty taker, possibly leading to lower conversion rates.
3. 🩹 Injury Concerns: If the fouled player is injured or substituted, the rule’s application becomes complicated and inconsistent.

Conclusion:
This idea could enrich football without compromising its core spirit, but it requires careful experimental testing. Implementing it in youth or lower-tier leagues first would allow assessment of its practical and psychological impacts. As with the VAR system, gradual adoption and evaluation would be the wisest path forward.

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GROK

November 9, 2025

International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) FIFA-Strasse 20 P.O. Box 8044 Zurich Switzerland

Subject: Proposal for Amending the Penalty Kick Rule

Dear FIFA Officials,

Football, as the world’s most beloved sport, requires continuous evolution of its rules to enhance fairness, excitement, and integrity. In this letter, I present a proposed change to the penalty kick rule and evaluate its potential impacts. The proposal has been developed by Aydın Tiryaki and goes beyond the current IFAB rules, which allow any player on the field, including the goalkeeper, to take the penalty.

According to the proposal:

• For penalties resulting from fouls inside the penalty area, the fouled player should take the kick. If the player is injured or substituted out, the substitute takes it. If substitution rights are exhausted and the player cannot continue, another player may be chosen.
• For penalties due to handball, as in the current rule, any player can take the kick; alternatively, the player who last touched the ball could be preferred.

This suggestion draws inspiration from basketball’s free-throw rule, aiming to add dynamism to football. Positive effects may include:

• Fairness and Personal Accountability: Requiring the fouled player to take the kick introduces individual responsibility, potentially discouraging reckless fouls and encouraging players to improve their penalty skills. Similar to basketball, this could boost player motivation and spectator engagement.
• Increased Excitement: Unexpected players (e.g., defenders) taking penalties adds surprise elements to matches, enhancing entertainment value and modernizing the game, much like past changes such as VAR.
• Potential for Injury Prevention: Teams might play more strategically to protect fouled players, improving overall game safety.

However, negative impacts should not be overlooked:

• Complexity and Implementation Challenges: Referees would need to quickly distinguish foul types and track substitutions, which could slow down the game and lead to disputes.
• Lack of Expertise: Non-specialist players taking penalties might increase miss rates, disrupting team strategies, especially in lower leagues.
• Increased Simulation: Players could feign injuries to avoid taking penalties, undermining the spirit of the game. If extended to all fouls (e.g., free kicks), it could erode football’s simplicity.

In my view, while innovative, this proposal may partially conflict with football’s core principles of speed and simplicity. FIFA has successfully integrated similar changes (e.g., goal-line technology), so this could be tested in pilot leagues. However, excessive rule changes might complicate the sport; perhaps limit it to top-tier tournaments.

I kindly request that you consider and evaluate this proposal for the future of football. For information, this has been copied to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).

Best regards, Aydın Tiryaki Ankara, Turkey

Evaluation of the Proposal

This proposal aims to make penalty kicks more fair and dynamic, but it may not fully align with football’s nature. Positive aspects: It introduces personal accountability, potentially reducing reckless fouls and engaging spectators more. Like basketball’s free throws, it personalizes penalty moments, adding excitement. Innovations like VAR have benefited football, so this could too.

My criticisms: Complexity is a major issue; referee decisions become contentious, slowing games. Non-specialist players taking kicks could lead to more misses, unbalancing teams. Injury simulation would rise, exacerbating an existing problem. Also, flexibility for handballs creates inconsistency—why the distinction? Overall, preserving football’s simplicity is key; this feels like over-intervention. Pilot tests are advisable, but I’m against it—the current rules suffice.

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DEEPSEEK

Dear FIFA Management,

I am writing to present a proposal for a rule change that I have developed, driven by my deep interest in football and the belief that it could further enhance the game’s fairness and strategic depth. My proposal concerns a revision of the current rule regarding penalty kicks.

Current Situation and Proposal:
In current football, a penalty kick can be taken by any player on the field. My proposal is based on the principle that the nature of the infringement that led to the penalty should determine the player who takes the kick. Accordingly:

• Penalties Resulting from a Foul: It is proposed that the player who was fouled inside the penalty area should take the penalty kick. If that player is injured or has been substituted, the player who replaced them should take the kick. This application is similar to the rule in basketball where the fouled player takes the free throws, and it is evaluated that it could bring a similar sense of justice and individual responsibility to football.
• Penalties Resulting from Handball: For such penalties, the current system (any player can take the kick) could be maintained, or alternatively, the player who last touched the ball before the handball could be considered.

Anticipated Benefits:
This change could potentially:

1. Strengthen sporting justice by granting the kick to the player who “earned” the penalty.
2. Increase the deterrent effect against fouls inside the penalty area.
3. Add new tactical layers to the game (e.g., the dilemma for teams if their best penalty taker is fouled).
4. Create more dramatic and emotional moments within matches (a fouled, perhaps injured, player converting the penalty they won into a goal).

Of course, the necessity of preserving football’s simplified and universal rules must not be overlooked. However, it is a historical fact that well-timed rule changes, like the introduction of VAR technology, have added dynamism to football.

Testing this proposal through pilot applications, at least at the level of youth leagues or friendly matches, and evaluating the results would be beneficial to understand its potential impact on the game.

This letter has also been forwarded to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for their information.

Sincerely,

Aydın Tiryaki
Ankara, Türkiye
November 9, 2025

Neutral Assessment of the Proposal (English)

Mr. Aydın’s proposal presents a creative and thought-provoking alternative to one of football’s most debated rules. This assessment will neutrally analyze both the strengths of the proposal and the challenges that need to be addressed.

Positive Aspects and Potential Contributions:

1. Sense of Sporting Justice: The proposal is based on the principle of the “wronged” player “claiming their right.” This could create a strong sense of fairness among spectators and players. The victim of the foul becomes the one who executes the punishment.
2. Tactical Depth: The proposal could complicate tactics. The opposing team might avoid fouling a player with high penalty-taking skills. Defending teams might have to be more calculative about whom and how to foul.
3. Dramatic Effect: Scenarios such as whether an injured player can take the penalty or continue playing after taking it could immensely increase the emotional tension and narrative dimension of a match.
4. Deterrence for Intentional Fouls: It could be more effective in deterring intentional and tactical fouls (fouls made to stop a clear goal-scoring opportunity). The fact that the fouled player would take the penalty increases the risk of committing the foul.

Negative Aspects and Criticisms:

1. Implementation Difficulties and Complexity: This is the proposal’s greatest weakness.
   • Who Fouled Whom?: Especially in crowded positions, determining who was fouled can sometimes be difficult. Even VAR may not be able to provide a 100% decision. This could lead to new and endless debates.
   • “Strategic Injury” Scenarios: Could a team be incentivized to “simulate an injury” to have the penalty taken by a good taker (substitute player) instead of a poor one (the fouled player)? This could open the door to unsporting behavior.
   • Complexity in Handballs: The “last player to touch the ball” alternative introduces a new area of technological debate, similar to offside and goal-line decisions.
2. Contrary to the Nature of Football: Unlike basketball, football prioritizes natural flow and continuity. This rule could frequently interrupt the game; procedures like “wait for the fouled player to return to the field to take the kick” could slow down the game’s tempo.
3. Diminishing the Impact of Penalty Specialists: The carefully rehearsed penalty ceremony and the expertise of dedicated penalty takers could disappear. This might weaken a skill that is part of the game and appreciated by fans.
4. Risk of Creating Injustice: The fouled player might be the team’s worst penalty taker. In this case, the fouling team is rewarded rather than punished, undermining the core “justice” argument of the proposal.

Conclusion:
Mr. Aydın’s proposal is an extremely creative idea that prompts a philosophical questioning of football. However, its practical applicability is fraught with significant doubts. The risk of complicating football’s universal language and simple rules is high. While it could be tested in lower-level leagues, its integration into professional, high-tempo football seems very challenging due to the uncertainties and game interruptions it would introduce. While the proposal is valuable as an “interesting thought experiment,” there are too many practical obstacles to overcome for it to be accepted as a fundamental rule change.

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MICROSOFT COPILOT

Date: November 9, 2025 To: FIFA Administration Cc: Turkish Football Federation (TFF)

Dear FIFA Officials,

We respectfully submit a proposal titled “Modification of the Penalty Kick Rule” for your consideration, aimed at enhancing fairness and strategic depth in football.

The proposal suggests that the player who takes the penalty should be determined based on how the penalty was awarded. Specifically, if the penalty results from a foul inside the penalty area, the fouled player should take the kick. In cases of handball, the current rule allowing any player to take the penalty would remain. This concept draws inspiration from basketball’s free throw rule, where the fouled player takes the shot, promoting fairness and individual accountability.

Such a change could enrich the game by emphasizing individual merit and tactical diversity. It may also reduce the tactical manipulation of penalty takers. Provisions are included for cases where the fouled player is injured or substituted, ensuring flexibility and practicality.

We acknowledge the importance of preserving football’s simplicity and spirit. Therefore, we recommend pilot testing this rule in selected competitions to assess its impact. Just as innovations like VAR have added value to the game, we believe this proposal has the potential to do the same.

This proposal has also been shared with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for informational purposes. We kindly request FIFA’s thoughtful evaluation and remain open to collaboration for the betterment of the sport.

Sincerely, Aydın Tiryaki, Ankara, Türkiye

Proposal Evaluation

Pros:

• Enhances fairness: Assigning the kick to the fouled player ensures the reward goes to the rightful individual.
• Adds tactical depth: Teams may need to rethink penalty strategies, enriching gameplay.
• Inspired by basketball: A proven model lends credibility to the concept.

Cons:

• May slow the game: Injuries or substitutions could complicate execution.
• Reduced scoring efficiency: Not all fouled players are skilled penalty takers.
• Complexity risk: Football’s simplicity might be compromised, confusing fans and players.

Overall Assessment: This is a bold and thoughtful proposal. While it offers potential benefits, its compatibility with football’s nature and rhythm must be carefully evaluated. Pilot trials would be the most prudent path forward.

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PERPLEXITY

Dear FIFA Officials,

I am writing to you on November 9, 2025, to present an important proposal concerning the rule for penalty kicks in football. The proposal aims to determine the player taking the penalty based on the nature of the foul that caused the penalty.

Currently, any player on the team may take the penalty kick. The proposed rule change suggests that if a penalty is awarded due to a foul inside the penalty area, the player who was fouled should take the penalty kick. If that player is injured or no longer on the field, then the substitute or another team player should take the penalty. For penalties awarded due to handball by the opposing team inside the box, any player may continue to take the kick as per current rules.

This rule change is likened to the free throw rule in basketball, which adds a new dynamic and value to the game. Should the habit of the fouled player taking the kick be adopted in football, similar changes may also be considered for free kicks.

Certainly, this proposal introduces a significant change to the foundations of football. However, considering past rule changes such as VAR have positively contributed to the game, I believe this suggestion merits careful evaluation.

This letter has also been sent to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for their information.

Sincerely,

Aydın Tiryaki
Ankara, Turkey

Proposal Evaluation (English)

This proposal can add a meaningful connection to penalty kicks by holding the fouled player responsible, enhancing fair play in football. Drawing parallels to basketball suggests the change could bring more dynamism and spectator engagement.

However, potential drawbacks must be considered. It may reduce the tension and strategic player selection currently part of penalty kicks. Flexibility could be limited if the fouled player is injured or unavailable, challenging teams. Frequent rule changes may confuse fans and players, undermining football’s simplicity and universality.

In conclusion, this proposal should be tested experimentally in select leagues to observe its impacts, carefully weighing its compatibility with football’s spirit and fan expectations.

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CLAUDE

November 9, 2025

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
FIFA-Strasse 20
8044 Zürich
Switzerland

CC: Turkish Football Federation (TFF)

Subject: Proposal for Amendment to Penalty Kick Regulations

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to FIFA, the world’s most prestigious and influential football governing body, to present a rule modification proposal that could enhance the fairness and excitement of the game. This proposal concerns the administration of penalty kicks and has the potential to add new dynamism to football without compromising its fundamental spirit.

Current Situation and Proposal

Currently, any of the 11 players on the field, including the goalkeeper, may take a penalty kick. While this practice provides tactical flexibility for teams, it presents certain issues regarding the natural flow and fairness of the game. My proposal is to determine the penalty taker based on how the penalty was awarded:

Penalties Resulting from Fouls

The player who was fouled inside the penalty area should take the penalty kick. This approach:

• Strengthens player protection
• Makes using fouls as a tactical tool more risky
• Provides fairness similar to the free throw logic in basketball

If the fouled player cannot continue due to injury, the substitute entering the game should take the penalty. If all substitutions have been exhausted and the player cannot continue, another player may take the penalty.

Penalties Resulting from Handball

In cases of handball, any player may take the penalty as in current practice. Since this situation is not a direct foul against a player, maintaining the existing flexibility makes sense.

Positive Effects

1. Enhanced Justice: The fouling player knows not only that their team will face a penalty, but that the specific player fouled will take it. This makes the consequences of fouls more predictable and personal.

2. Player Protection: Harsh fouls on star players may decrease, as knowing that player will take the penalty becomes a deterrent.

3. Dramatic Value: A player taking a penalty after being fouled adds a new psychological and emotional dimension to the match.

4. Tactical Depth: Defensive players will need to think more carefully about which player they foul.

5. Youth Development: As all players will need to develop penalty-taking skills, this contributes positively to player development systems.

Potential Challenges

1. Implementation Complexity: For referees and VAR, determining who was fouled in crowded situations may be time-consuming.

2. Conflict with Tradition: Football is a sport with strong traditions. Fundamental changes may face resistance.

3. Strategic Fouls: Theoretically, there is a risk of intentionally fouling weak penalty takers, but this is already punished with yellow/red cards.

Comparative Perspective

The free throw rule applied in basketball forms the foundation of this proposal. In basketball, the fouled player takes the free throw, and this system has operated successfully for decades. Although football and basketball are different sports, the principles of fairness and personal accountability are universal.

Furthermore, looking at football history, we see that significant changes like the VAR system were initially controversial but eventually contributed to the quality of the game. While acknowledging that rule changes must be carefully evaluated, I believe it is important to trial proposals with the potential to improve the game.

Conclusion and Request

I respectfully request that you submit this proposal for evaluation by FIFA’s International Football Association Board (IFAB). My proposal could:

• Be tested through pilot implementations in youth categories
• Be subject to academic research and statistical analysis
• Be opened to broad discussions with expert panels and the football community

Football is a dynamic and evolving sport. We can only understand whether this proposal will add value to the game through serious evaluation and testing processes. I thank you in advance for providing the opportunity to initiate this discussion for the benefit of the global football community.

Respectfully yours,

Aydın Tiryaki
Ankara, Turkey

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Penalty Kick Rule Change Proposal

Introduction

Aydın Tiryaki’s proposal to modify penalty kick regulations brings a radical perspective to football rules. This proposal, inspired by the free throw logic in basketball, argues that the fouled player should take the penalty kick in football as well. In this evaluation, we will objectively examine the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal.

Strengths of the Proposal

1. Emphasis on Justice and Fairness

The proposal is based on a fundamental principle of justice: the person who suffers injustice should personally remedy it. This logic has been successfully applied in many sports, especially basketball, and is psychologically satisfying.

2. Player Protection

The tendency to commit intentional fouls on star players, particularly in critical situations, may decrease. Defensive players will need to think more carefully about which player they foul.

3. Contribution to Player Development

Since all players will need to develop penalty-taking skills, youth development systems can provide more comprehensive training. This contributes to the multi-dimensional development of players.

4. Dramatic and Psychological Depth

The fouled player taking the penalty can add a new emotional and psychological dimension to matches. This situation can create more exciting moments for fans and viewers.

Weaknesses and Criticisms of the Proposal

1. Fundamental Differences Between Football and Basketball

The proposal’s biggest weakness is that it overlooks the structural differences between football and basketball:

• Basketball is a high-tempo game where scores are constantly produced. A player can take dozens of free throws during a match, and this skill is one of the player’s core abilities.
• In football, penalties are rare and critical moments. A defensive player or winger may have taken very few penalty kicks in their career. While basketball players train for free throws, not all football players can be expected to be penalty specialists.

2. Risk of Disrupting the Natural Flow of the Game

Football is a sport where position-based specialization is strong. A center-back or defensive midfielder is played for their defensive abilities rather than offensive skills. Forcing these players to take penalties:

• Goes against the natural specialization of the game
• Makes teams’ tactical planning more difficult
• Can create unfair advantages/disadvantages

3. Risk of Tactical Manipulation

A serious problem is the likelihood of intentional fouls on weak penalty takers. Defensive players can make strategic fouls by calculating which player has the ball in penalty situations. This:

• Corrupts the spirit of the game
• Creates a new form of injustice
• Makes referee decisions more complex

4. Implementation and Determination Problems

In crowded situations, especially during corner kicks or scrambles, determining who was fouled can be very difficult. Even VAR may struggle to make a clear decision in this situation. Additionally:

• How will collective fouls be evaluated?
• If two players are fouled simultaneously, who takes it?
• What happens if the fouled player is afraid or doesn’t want to take the penalty?

5. Injury and Substitution Complications

The proposal anticipates that the substitute will take the penalty in case of injury, but this is also problematic:

• Can the team make a strategic substitution to take the penalty?
• Can a player avoid taking a penalty under the pretext of minor injury?
• If there are no substitutions left and the player is genuinely injured, this puts the team at an even greater disadvantage.

6. Conflict with Football’s Global Culture

Football is a sport with over 150 years of history affecting billions of people worldwide. Penalty kicks are iconic moments in football culture. Such a fundamental change:

• May face significant resistance from fans
• Could alter the traditional character of the game
• May divide the football community

7. Unintended Consequences

The rule change may have unexpected consequences:

• Some players may intentionally seek fouls to take penalties
• Players under psychological pressure may perform worse during the match
• New constraints on coaches’ player selection may emerge

Alternative Proposals

If justice and equality are desired in penalty kicks, more applicable alternatives can be considered:

1. Pre-Announced Penalty Taker List: Before the match, each team can declare 5 players who will take penalties in order. This maintains specialization while increasing predictability.
2. Determination by Field Position: A rule could be introduced where players playing in the area where the foul occurred (e.g., right, left, center) take the penalty.
3. Maintaining the Current System: The simplest solution is to preserve the proven current system. Specialization in penalty kicks is part of teams’ tactical depth.

Conclusion

Aydın Tiryaki’s proposal is a creative and thought-provoking approach. It raises valuable principles such as justice and player protection. However, the proposal does not adequately consider the fundamental differences between football and basketball and has the potential to create serious difficulties in implementation.

Football is an evolving sport and should be open to new ideas. However, such a fundamental change should not be accepted without comprehensive simulations, pilot implementations, and long-term impact assessments.

Evaluation Score:

• Creativity: 9/10
• Principle of Justice: 8/10
• Applicability: 3/10
• Compatibility with Football Culture: 2/10
• Overall Recommendation: Interesting as an idea, but impractical in its current form. Further development and alternative approaches are needed.

The discussion of such bold proposals within the football community is important for the future of the game. However, the final decision must be made in a way that preserves the integrity of the game and balances the interests of all stakeholders.

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(1) This article is a compilation of the English versions of the letters that are recommended to be sent to FIFA and to the TFF for information, from the article titled “AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPROACH: A Proposal to Change the Penalty Kick Rule in Football” published on the web address https://aydintiryaki.org/2025/11/09/bir-yapay-zeka-yaklasimi-futbolda-penalti-atisi-kuralinin-degistirilmesi-onerisi/.

(2) Letter to Turkish Football Federation (TFF)
Penaltı Atışı Kuralının Değiştirilmesi Önerisi (TFF’ye açık mektup)