The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a new rule aimed at reducing time-wasting by goalkeepers.
Starting from the 2025/26 season, goalkeepers will have a maximum of eight seconds to release the ball after gaining possession. Failure to do so will result in a corner kick for the opposing team.
To enforce the rule, referees will initiate a visible countdown with their hands after three seconds of possession, ensuring clarity for players and spectators. The first violation will result in a warning, while persistent time-wasting will lead to a yellow card.
This regulation replaces the largely unenforced six-second rule, which previously allowed referees to penalize excessive time-wasting with an indirect free-kick. The new rule is designed to improve game flow and limit time wasting and unnecessary stoppages.
Patrick Nelson, Chief Executive of the Irish FA and host of the recent IFAB meeting, explained the rationale behind the change, “Goalkeepers holding on to the ball for too long has been a persistent issue. The results of our trials have been very positive, so we are moving forward with this new rule.”
The rule has been tested in over 400 matches, including Premier League Under-21 games, with minimal instances of corner kicks being awarded. This suggests goalkeepers are already adapting to the regulation.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom echoed Nelson’s statement, “The trials have been very successful. Referees rarely had to award corners, indicating that goalkeepers adjusted well.”
The rule will first be implemented at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup before its full introduction in the 2025/26 season.