IFAB Unveils New Eight-Second Rule for Goalkeepers Effective from Club World Cup 2025
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Synopsis
The IFAB has announced key changes to the Laws of the Game for the 2025/26 season, including a new eight-second rule for goalkeepers aimed at reducing time-wasting, which will be implemented during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Key Takeaways
- New eight-second rule for goalkeepers approved by IFAB.
- Goalkeepers holding the ball longer than eight seconds will lead to a corner kick for opponents.
- The change aims to minimize time-wasting and enhance game flow.
- Visual five-second countdown will assist referees in monitoring time.
- Other law amendments include guidelines for team captains and VAR protocols.
Belfast, March 1 (NationPress) The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has sanctioned several significant revisions to the Laws of the Game for the 2025/26 season. One of the most notable changes addresses the concern of time-wasting, particularly regarding goalkeepers who tend to retain possession of the ball for excessive durations.
Previously, if a goalkeeper retained the ball for longer than six seconds, an indirect free kick would be awarded to the opposing side. However, following a series of successful trials, the IFAB has opted to extend this limit to eight seconds.
“After extensive trials demonstrated a substantial positive influence where goalkeepers were holding the ball for overly lengthy periods, the IFAB has unanimously resolved to modify Law 12.2 (Indirect free kick). This amendment stipulates that if a goalkeeper retains possession for more than eight seconds (with the referee utilizing a visual five-second countdown), the referee will grant a corner kick to the opposing team instead of the existing indirect free kick for exceeding six seconds,” stated the IFAB.
Under the revised regulation, referees will implement a five-second visual countdown to monitor the goalkeeper's time, and should the goalkeeper surpass the eight-second threshold, a corner kick will be awarded as opposed to the traditional indirect free kick. This modification aims to deter prolonged time-wasting and foster a more dynamic style of play.
The choice to revise the goalkeeper rule comes after trials indicated that such adjustments markedly enhanced the game's flow. By urging goalkeepers to release the ball more swiftly, the IFAB aspires to minimize stoppages and stimulate more attacking play.
In addition to the alterations concerning goalkeepers, other significant modifications were made to various laws, including guidelines for team captains in managing interactions with referees, changes to dropped ball procedures, and new protocols for the utilization of Video Assistant Referees (VAR).
The changes will take effect in the 2025/26 season, with the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 being among the first major tournaments to implement these new rules. The decisions were also made during the 139th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the IFAB, organized by the Irish Football Association (IFA) in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
