The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a rule change to tackle time wasting by goalkeepers.
The sporting body is the “independent guardian of the Laws of the Game” and have sole authority to amend the game’s rules.
IFAB approved a number of rule changes at its 139th AGM in Belfast in the north of Ireland this week, the most notable of which will see an alteration to the six-second rule.
IFAB approve goalkeeper rule change to combat time wasting
One of the least enforced laws in football, goalkeepers are only allowed to hold onto the ball for a total of six seconds. Any longer and the referee is supposed to award an indirect free-kick to the opposition, but this rarely happens.
From the 2025/26 season onwards, goalkeepers will be allowed to hold possession in their hands for eight seconds, but a corner will be awarded to the opposition if they take any longer than that.
With a less severe punishment in place referees may be more willing to enforce the rule in its new guise. IFAB say that trials have “shown a major positive impact” in reducing time-wasting by goalkeepers.
IFAB have also introduced the following amendments to the Laws of the Game, which come into effect on 1 July 2025:
- Law 3.10 (Team captain): Guidelines have been introduced into the Laws for any competitions wishing to apply the principle of only the captain approaching the referee in specific situations, which was successfully implemented in a number of competitions last year.
- Law 8.2 (Dropped ball): If the ball is outside the penalty area when play is stopped, it is dropped for the team that had or would have gained possession if this is clear to the referee; otherwise, it is dropped for the team that last touched it. The ball is dropped at its position when play was stopped.
- Law 9.2 (Ball in play): An indirect free kick with no disciplinary sanction will be awarded if a team official, substitute, substituted or sent-off player or player who is temporarily off the field of play touches the ball as it is leaving the field of play and there was no intention to interfere unfairly.
- Video assistant referee (VAR) protocol: Competitions now have the option for the referee to make an announcement after a VAR review or lengthy VAR check.
- Practical guidelines for match officials: As the VAR can monitor goal/no goal decisions and goalkeeper encroachment, the assistant referee should be positioned in line with the penalty mark, which is the offside line.
IFAB added that these rule changes will be in place when Chelsea and Manchester City take part in the Fifa Club World Cup in the USA this summer.
Additionally, football’s lawmakers have approved the testing of body cameras worn by match officials in Fifa competitions, including the Club World Cup, following positive feedback from their use in a limited number of top-level matches.
The ‘RefCam’ was worn by referee Jarred Gillett during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United in 2024, while it has also been trialled in grassroots football.
@skysports In a Premier League first, referee Jarred Gillett wore a ‘RefCam’ during Crystal Palace v Man Utd! 👀 The use of ‘RefCam’ was a one-off which had the full permission off The IFAB. The filming will form par of an educational programme highlighting the important role of the referee. #premierleague #referee #refcam #manchesterunited #crystalpalace
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