The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved notable changes to one of football's least enforced rules, particularly concerning goalkeepers' time with the ball. Following its 139th Annual General Meeting held recently in Belfast, IFAB, the guardian of football's Laws of the Game, revealed the new regulations, which aim to tackle the notorious issue of time-wasting by goalkeepers.
Starting from the 2025-26 season, goalkeepers will now be allowed to hold onto the ball for eight seconds instead of the previous six seconds stipulated by Law 12.2. If they exceed this timeframe, the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team, rather than the previously enforced indirect free-kick, making for what IFAB hopes will be more decisive interventions against time-wasting tactics. This rule, according to IFAB, was tweaked based on positive results observed during trials held across various leagues, including youth competitions and Italy's Primavera league.
"After trials have shown a major positive impact where goalkeepers have been holding onto the ball for too long, the IFAB has unanimously decided to amend Law 12.2 (Indirect free kick)," stated the organization. This change reflects growing frustration among fans, players, and match officials alike, who have long claimed time-wasting has diminished the fast-paced nature of the game.
Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA's referees committee, emphasized the necessity of this change during the announcement. He noted, "This change is much needed as it addresses persistent time-wasting, ensuring more engaging gameplay for fans thanks to faster restarts." The trials reportedly demonstrated considerable improvement, with referees introducing visual cues like a five-second countdown to alert goalkeepers when they were nearing the time limit, effectively encouraging quicker play.
Other changes approved by IFAB during the AGM include amendments to the handling of dropped balls and updates to how VAR protocols function. For example, the new Law 8.2 now states if the ball is outside the penalty area when play is stopped, it will be dropped for the team with the previous possession. This adjustment aims to streamline the dropped ball process, minimizing potential disruptions to the game flow.
The committee's decisions can be viewed as responses to growing calls from players and fans alike for more stringent enforcement of time limits on ball possession. Critics have often voiced their irritation during matches where goalkeepers "run down the clock," effectively stalling the game and disappointing spectators. With the Premier League recording just 59 minutes and 21 seconds of ball-in-play time on average during the 2023-2024 season, the need for these adjustments has never been more pressing.
The forthcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to occur between June 14th and July 13th, will also implement these rule changes, functioning as a testing ground for how these adaptations play out on the global stage. This move not only increases anticipation for the tournament but also serves as evidence of IFAB's commitment to fostering fair play and integrity within the sport.
Overall, the 2025-26 season will not just be characterized by the goalkeeper’s time limitations. Changes to how team captains may communicate with referees will be highlighted, which restricts this function solely to team captains within specific scenarios—a system aimed at nurturing respect and reducing verbal conflict between players and officials. The growing professionality and structure within the game reflect moves toward aligning football with practices seen elsewhere, such as rugby, where similar communication protocols have been effective.
The football community appears divided on the impending changes. Some supporters welcome the reforms as necessary steps toward modernizing and enhancing the spectator experience, whereas others express concern about how drastically the game will alter. Comments circulating on social media highlight the polarizing nature of the reform, with sentiments ranging from optimism about creating more exciting matches to criticisms lamenting the change as detrimental to the sport's charm.
Regardless of the differing opinions, the consensus around the globe remains focused on one goal: to create a dynamic game where time-wasting tactics are diminished, ensuring every second counts. The forthcoming rule changes represent IFAB's willingness to adapt to modern demands and interests, signaling to fans and players alike a commitment to preserving football's integrity and respectability.