Football’s governing body, the International Football Association Board, IFAB, has introduced a new rule aimed at preventing time-wasting by goalkeepers.
Cyber Reporters reports that the rule change, which will take effect next season, stipulates that goalkeepers who hold onto the ball for more than eight seconds will concede a corner kick.
The current rules state that goalkeepers should be penalized with an indirect free kick if they hold the ball for over six seconds.
However, this rule is rarely enforced, and goalkeepers often take advantage of this to waste time. The new rule aims to prevent this and keep the game flowing.
A trial of the new rule has been underway in several competitions this season. In this trial, referees count down the final five seconds with their hand, giving goalkeepers a clear indication of when they need to release the ball.
This visual countdown has helped to prevent time-wasting and ensure that the game is played fairly.
IFAB explained the reasoning behind the new rule in a statement after their annual meeting in Belfast.
The organization stated that if a goalkeeper holds the ball for longer than eight seconds, the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team. This change is intended to promote fair play and prevent time-wasting.
In addition to the new rule, IFAB also backed FIFA’s plan to have referees wear cameras during the World Cup next year.
The cameras will be part of the live match broadcast, providing an additional perspective on the game.
