New law approved to checkmate goalkeepers time-wasting

by David Bolarinwa
0 comments 1 minutes read
New law approved to checkmate goalkeepers time-wasting
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a new law aimed at tackling goalkeeper time-wasting. 

Under the new rule, goalkeepers who hold the ball for more than eight seconds, will face a punishment, with the opposition awarded a corner kick starting this summer, according to BBC Sport.

The law was unanimously approved by IFAB at its annual general meeting in Northern Ireland on Saturday. 

It will be implemented at FIFA’s Club World Cup, which will take place in the USA from June 15 to July 13. 

Currently, goalkeepers should be penalised if they hold the ball for more than six seconds with the opposition awarded an indirect free-kick. 

However, Noel Mooney, CEO of the Football Association of Wales (FAW), stated that enforcement of the six-second rule has diminished over time. 

Mooney hopes the new law will reduce time-wasting. 

Already trialed in over 400 games across three different competitions, including Premier League 2, referees will now give goalkeepers a five-second countdown before penalizing them. 

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom commented on the new rule, saying, “We had the test, and it was very successful. The referees didn’t have to signal for a corner [often].” 

In addition, IFAB voted to continue offside trials where attackers are considered onside if their torso is level with the second-to-last defender.


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