BREAKING: IFAB APPROVE NEW KEEPER RULE

IFAB Approves Interesting New Rule For Goalkeepers

Time-wasting could lead to an opposition corner from next season

The IFAB have voted unanimously in favour of amending Law 12.2. The amendment means goalkeepers, from next season, will have eight seconds to release the ball before the opposing team is awarded a corner kick. On-field referees will be aided in their decision-making by a visual five-second countdown.

The rule change is the first of its kind since Law 12.2 was first introduced in 1998. Previously, it stated that a goalkeeper has six seconds to release the ball before the opposing team is awarded an indirect free-kick - this, however, was very rarely enforced.

Reaction to this news has been very mixed, but there is an agreement among viewers that the sport will be changed forever off the back of the significant alteration. "What is this nonsense?" one X user remarked. Another added: "Our beautiful football is gone", while a third said: "This will be so interesting."

This amendment will be in effect for the 2025/26 Premier League season onwards, alongside all international and continental competitions.

I don't mind this.

Some goalkeepers (including our own to be fair) take far too long to release the ball when they have it in their hands. Martinez at Villa is the worst one for it.

The previous rule was hardly ever enacted so I hope this one will be.

IFAB Approves Interesting New Rule For Goalkeepers

Time-wasting could lead to an opposition corner from next season

The IFAB have voted unanimously in favour of amending Law 12.2. The amendment means goalkeepers, from next season, will have eight seconds to release the ball before the opposing team is awarded a corner kick. On-field referees will be aided in their decision-making by a visual five-second countdown.

The rule change is the first of its kind since Law 12.2 was first introduced in 1998. Previously, it stated that a goalkeeper has six seconds to release the ball before the opposing team is awarded an indirect free-kick - this, however, was very rarely enforced.

Reaction to this news has been very mixed, but there is an agreement among viewers that the sport will be changed forever off the back of the significant alteration. "What is this nonsense?" one X user remarked. Another added: "Our beautiful football is gone", while a third said: "This will be so interesting."

This amendment will be in effect for the 2025/26 Premier League season onwards, alongside all international and continental competitions.

No need to do this if they change the stupid restart for goal kicks ....this is biggest time wasting in history? Goalie goes to kick ball stops let's defender pretend to kick it to him this can take a minute but then Goalie decides to kick long ! Change ghis and also stop Goalie placing ball on opposite side where ball went out play ... we've hade 6 second rule for years didn't work why will 8 seconds make any difference?
Also a smaller version of var will not be brought in to efl so back to drawing board on that score ..

I don't mind this.

Some goalkeepers (including our own to be fair) take far too long to release the ball when they have it in their hands. Martinez at Villa is the worst one for it.

The previous rule was hardly ever enacted so I hope this one will be.

Agree, Ned. Premier League only in the UK for next year but rolled out elsewhere, if it’s a success!

It's a good idea but as with most things football it needs to be enforced to be effective.

I don't mind this.

Some goalkeepers (including our own to be fair) take far too long to release the ball when they have it in their hands. Martinez at Villa is the worst one for it.

The previous rule was hardly ever enacted so I hope this one will be.

Agree, Ned. Premier League only in the UK for next year but rolled out elsewhere, if it’s a success!

I like this rule change be up there with the back pass to keeper rule change.

Great idea, as it is awful when a goalkeeper takes a straightforward catch, and then dives on the floor as if shot. The worst thing that should be cleared up, is the shirt pulling which is spoiling football, especially from corners. Referees seem to ignore it for some reason. It is like scrums in rugby, when the scrum half invariably puts the ball in at an angle to his own team’s feet, completely against the rules, and making the need for a hooker, and it’s name, redundant.

What happens if the goal keeper bounces the ball and then catch it technically that's releasing the ball

What happens if the goal keeper bounces the ball and then catch it technically that's releasing the ball

Under the current rules, bouncing the ball doesn't count as releasing it so I'm guessing it will be the same in the new rules.

They never imposed the 6 second rule Why are they now going to impose an 8 second role

Good rule, I hate it when keepers catch the ball then dive on the floor for ages

no need to change the law. Just enforce the existing one

no need to change the law. Just enforce the existing one

Your right they should have enforced the old one even if they do I would like this new one because of the awarding of the corner as punishment.

no need to change the law. Just enforce the existing one

Your right they should have enforced the old one even if they do I would like this new one because of the awarding of the corner as punishment.

The 6 second rule of applied you were penalised with a free kick against you So all they have done is water down the hold rule

What happens if the goal keeper bounces the ball and then catch it technically that's releasing the ball

Under the current rules, bouncing the ball doesn't count as releasing it so I'm guessing it will be the same in the new rules.

That’s correct; and the ‘holding’ time relates to the ball in the keeper’s hands

If he places the ball in the floor with the intention of passing/kicking it, he can no longer pick it up, so the ball becomes ‘live’ and he can be challenged for the ball

‘Laying’ on the ball is a ‘time-wasting’ tactic, as is holding the ball too long, and this Rule, if properly enforced, will be good for the game

This was trialled at PL2 games this season successfully. Ultimately the reason referees never penalised goalkeepers was because an indirect free kick in the penalty area was too great a punishment. Now that they are able to award a corner, they will apply it and goalkeepers will be prevented from wasting time!

This was trialled at PL2 games this season successfully. Ultimately the reason referees never penalised goalkeepers was because an indirect free kick in the penalty area was too great a punishment. Now that they are able to award a corner, they will apply it and goalkeepers will be prevented from wasting time!

What is PL2 ? And how was it enforced?

I can see the bigger teams surrounding the ref if they don't like the decision when there are minutes left & wasting even more time.

This was trialled at PL2 games this season successfully. Ultimately the reason referees never penalised goalkeepers was because an indirect free kick in the penalty area was too great a punishment. Now that they are able to award a corner, they will apply it and goalkeepers will be prevented from wasting time!

What is PL2 ? And how was it enforced?

I can see the bigger teams surrounding the ref if they don't like the decision when there are minutes left & wasting even more time.

PL2 is the academy league for clubs with a Category One academy.

Sorry, yes PL2 is the U21 competition mainly for Premier League teams although Reading are in it. It is one league above where out U21a play. Having observed officials at that level this has proven to work, with the visible countdown from 5 helping to get goalkeepers to release the ball more quickly, it has also been trialled in other countries hence why they are bringing it in.

How long will it be till the Canton start counting back from 8 just to put the keeper under pressure.

How long will it be till the Canton start counting back from 8 just to put the keeper under pressure.

Good Idea

I’m sure the refs will be given a visual aide when there’s 5 seconds left. Sure I read that somewhere.

So at the moment it’s only them who know, assume a visual aide would be a clock near the goal?

How long will it be till the Canton start counting back from 8 just to put the keeper under pressure.

Good Idea

How long will it be till the Canton start counting back from 8 just to put the keeper under pressure.

Good Idea

Thing is it'll be us and every other club in no time. Be nice to be the first though.