IFAB Introduces Game-Changing Rule for Goalkeepers Holding the Ball Too Long

The International Football Association Board IFAB has announced revolutionary rule change set to take effect in the 2025 /26 season, aimed at combatting time wasting by goalkeepers.

Under the new rule, if goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than 8 second, the opposing team will be awarded corner kick major shift from the current law, which only grants indirect free kick after 6 second.

The IFAB’s decision follows successful trials in the English U21 and Italian U20 leagues, where it proved effective in discouraging tim wasting. Patrik Nelson, IFAB board member, confirmed: "If the goalkeeper holds the ball for too long, the referee will now award corner kick. The trials have shown great success."

Additional Rule Changes for 2025-26

Alongside the goalkeeper rule, IFAB's introduced several other changes:

• Captain Referee Interaction: New guidelines will restrict player confrontations, allowing only the captain to approach the referee in certain situations.
  Dropped Ball Rule: If the ball's outside the penalty area when play's stopped, it'll be dropped to the team that last touched it, unless it’s clear who would have gained possession.
• VAR Announcements: Referees'll now have the option to announce their final decision after lengthy VAR review.
• Referee Body Cameras: FIFA'll test the use of body cameras on referees in official matches including the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, to improve transparency and training.

Implementation Timeline

These new rules'll officially come into effect on 1 July 2025 though competitions starting earlier may choose to implement them beforehand.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.