IFAB adresses goalkeeper time-wasting with new rule

Under the new regulation, if a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than eight seconds, the referee will award a corner-kick to the opposing team. This rule change will be trialled during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

During the Annual General Meeting held in Belfast, IFAB announced several other rule amendments that will be implemented in the upcoming season. Among these is a change to Rule 3.10 concerning team captains, alongside the introduction of guidelines for all competitions aiming to enforce the principle that only the captain may address the referee in specific situations.

"The IFAB has agreed that fostering greater cooperation and communication between captains and referees – who often face verbal and/or physical disagreements when making decisions – can help instil higher levels of fairness and mutual respect, key values of the game," the organisation stated in a release.

In order to facilitate a smooth transition to the new rule, IFAB confirmed that the changes will be enforced starting with the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in the United States from 14th June to 13th July.

 

March 1, 2025