The International Football Association Board (Ifab) confirmed a new law penalizing goalkeepers who excessively hold the ball by awarding a corner to the opposing team. Goalkeepers will have eight seconds to redistribute the ball, a change from the previous six-second rule. The decision follows positive trial results across over 400 matches. The aim is to combat time-wasting effectively, making matches more engaging. Officials view this change as revolutionary, establishing a new deterrent for delaying tactics in the game, shifting from indirect free-kicks to corners as penalties.
This new law, which grants goalkeepers a maximum of eight seconds to redistribute the ball, will replace the previous six-second rule, adding significant enforcement to time-wasting penalties.
Patrick Nelson emphasized that goalkeepers holding the ball for too long has been an issue, with trials showing positive results for this decisive change to football laws.
David Elleray pointed to a specific match, highlighting how the stark difference in time held by goalkeepers can lead to a significant change in the flow of the game.
The implementation of this law marks a revolutionary shift in punishing time-wasting in football, as infringements now result in corners rather than just free kicks.
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