From the 2025/26 season, corner kicks will be awarded to opposing teams if a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than eight seconds, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has declared.
The move, which is an attempt to clamp down on goalkeepers killing time by “holding onto the ball for too long”, is one of numerous changes to the Laws of the Game announced by IFAB.
This is a notable move away from the current rules, which state that should a goalkeeper hold onto the ball for more than six seconds, an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposing team.
The new approach will see referees give goalkeepers a “visual five-second countdown” before they must release the ball.
The IFAB said in a statement: “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).
“The amendment means that if a goalkeeper holds the ball for longer than eight seconds (with the referee using a visual five-second countdown), the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team (rather than the current indirect free kick for more than six seconds).
“The following decisions were also taken at the 139th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of The IFAB, hosted by the Irish Football Association (IFA) in Belfast, Northern Ireland.”
The change had been trialled in English youth leagues this season, as well as in Italy and Malta.
Other law changes
Another amendment made by the IFAB is to encourage “stronger co-operation” between club captains and officials, implementing guidelines which “apply the principle of only the captain approaching the referee in specific situations”.
The decision was made in hope of instilling “higher levels of fairness and mutual respect” between players and officials, which can be implemented at each competition’s discretion.
Further amendments will see referee’s award the drop-balls to the team that “would have gained possession” if play is stopped when the ball is outside either penalty box.
Meanwhile, an “indirect free kick with no disciplinary sanction” will be awarded if a member of either bench touches the ball as it is leaving the pitch, if there is “no intention to interfere unfairly”.
Competitions now also have the option for referees to announce VAR verdicts, a move which has been exhibited in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup fifth round this season.
The IFAB added that the new rules will be in force for the FIFA Club World Cup – starting June 14, despite officially coming into effect on July 1.