Football’s governing bodies are poised to introduce a significant rule change that could affect goalkeepers across the Premier League and beyond. After successful trials at various levels of the game, a proposed alteration to time-wasting regulations could see teams punished in a way that goalkeepers will undoubtedly dislike.
The new rule would limit the time a goalkeeper can hold onto the ball, with corner kicks being awarded to the opposition if the time limit is exceeded. Here’s everything you need to know about this potential shift in the game’s laws.
Table of Contents
The New Rule Change: What It Entails
The proposed change seeks to tighten the restrictions on how long goalkeepers are allowed to hold the ball during play. Under the current rules, referees have the discretion to award an indirect free-kick if a goalkeeper is deemed to have delayed play too long. However, the law is rarely enforced, as the delay can create a clear scoring opportunity for the opposing team, leading referees to hesitate in calling the foul.
The new rule, trialled in Premier League 2 and other countries like Malta, will see referees awarding a corner kick to the opposing team if a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for too long. The goalkeeper will have just eight seconds to release the ball before the referee blows the whistle.
Why This Rule Change Could Be a Game-Changer
Currently, referees are empowered to issue an indirect free-kick if the goalkeeper exceeds the time limit, but this is seldom acted upon. This is because the delay in releasing the ball could lead to a dangerous situation for the defending team, especially when the opposition sets up a wall for a free-kick. By awarding a corner kick instead of a free-kick, the new rule introduces a deterrent that could make goalkeepers think twice before holding onto the ball for too long.
Referee’s Role in Enforcing the Rule
Referees will now be required to monitor the goalkeeper’s actions closely, counting down from five seconds as the player holds onto the ball. This approach could streamline the enforcement of the rule, ensuring that time-wasting is minimized.
As Martyn Ziegler of The Times reported, the change has already been successfully trialled in Premier League 2, and similar trials have taken place in Malta and are set to extend to Italian youth football.
How Goalkeepers Are Expected to React
Goalkeepers will likely have to adjust their behavior to avoid the risk of conceding a corner kick, a scenario that could become highly undesirable for any team. Patrick Nelson, the chief executive of the Irish FA and a board member of the International FA Board (IFAB), which oversees football regulations, explained that the data from these trials suggests the rule is having its intended effect.
Nelson noted, “The data that’s coming out of it so far is very, very interesting, in that the two trials so far have been that if the goalkeeper is holding on to the ball too long, the referee will award a corner. The instances of corners being awarded are almost non-existent, which would indicate to us that the deterrent is exactly what we would want it to be at this point.”
He continued, “Certainly looking at the data, that the deterrent is exactly what we would want it to be at this point, and it’s speeding up the goalkeepers letting go of the ball and bringing it back into play.”
A New Level of Accountability for Goalkeepers
The impact of this rule change will likely be significant. Coaches and players will likely be more cautious about time-wasting tactics, as the consequences could include conceding a corner kick that might result in a goal. Nelson further explained how goalkeepers will have little room for error: “The wrath of any coach for any goalkeeper who’s given away a corner or a throw-in that leads to a goal is always certainly going to mean the goalkeeper is not going to do that twice.”
This shift in the rules could lead to a more dynamic, fast-paced style of play, especially in the closing stages of a match when time-wasting tactics are more prevalent.
Broader Changes Under Consideration
While the goalkeeper rule is garnering the most attention, IFAB is also looking into further changes to the laws of the game. One major topic under discussion is the offside rule, with trials continuing around the world. Notably, FIFA’s chief of global football, Arsene Wenger, has backed potential changes to the offside laws.
Will Goalkeepers Adapt?
As football’s lawmakers continue to tweak the laws of the game, this potential rule change could mark the beginning of a significant shift in how goalkeepers handle time management. While the idea of conceding a corner kick as a result of time-wasting might seem harsh, it is clear that the intent is to speed up the game and eliminate deliberate delays. If these trials continue to be successful, we could see a dramatic change in how goalkeepers approach the clock during their goal kicks. The big question remains: will they adapt in time?
Read More: FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Draw: Real Madrid Set to Face Al Hilal, Manchester City Clash with Juventus
FAQs
What is the new rule change for goalkeepers?
The new rule change proposes that goalkeepers can only hold onto the ball for eight seconds. If they exceed this time, the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team.
Why are goalkeepers being penalized for holding the ball too long?
The rule aims to reduce time-wasting during matches, ensuring the game remains fast-paced and prevents teams from delaying play intentionally.
Where has the rule change been trialled?
The rule has been trialled in Premier League 2, Malta, and is set to extend to Italian youth football.
How does the referee enforce the new rule?
Referees will count down from five seconds to zero, and if the goalkeeper doesn’t release the ball within the time limit, a corner kick will be awarded to the opposition.
How has the rule change impacted goalkeeper behavior so far?
Early data from trials suggests the rule has effectively sped up goalkeepers’ decision-making, with instances of corner kicks being almost non-existent, as goalkeepers are less likely to delay play.
