The Art of Goalkeeping: IFAB’s New Rule to Combat Time-Wasters
The recent amendment to Law 12.2 is a significant change for goalkeepers and referees alike. The new rule states that goalkeepers now have eight seconds to release the ball, with a visual five-second countdown aiding referees in their decision-making. This update aims to address the issue of goalkeepers holding onto the ball for extended periods, with a trial period showing positive results. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), at its 139th Annual General Meeting hosted by the Irish FA, unanimously agreed to the change, which will come into force next season. If a goalkeeper holds the ball for longer than eight seconds, a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team, as stated by IFAB. In addition to this alteration, IFAB has also introduced a new law regarding interactions between players and referees. This law states that only team captains are permitted to approach the referee, a rule that was implemented in the Premier League and enforced at Euro 2024. IFAB be...