IFAB introduces rule to stop goalkeeper Time Wasting”

The International Football Association Board has approved a significant rule change that will affect goalkeepers starting next season.

At their Annual General Meeting in Belfast, Northern Ireland, today, the game’s lawmakers voted unanimously in favour of an amendment to Law 12.2. The change aims to reduce time-wasting by goalkeepers.

Beginning from the 2025/26 season, if a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than eight seconds, the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team instead of an indirect free kick.

To ensure clarity, referees will count down the final five seconds using hand signals to avoid confusion. The meeting, chaired by the Irish Football Association, was attended by representatives from FIFA, The FA, the Scottish FA, the FA of Wales, and the IFAB administration.