What is the eight-second goalkeeper rule? How long can goalkeepers hold the ball? When will the rule come into place?
Published 04/03/2025 at 11:18 GMT
This summer will see the amount of time a goalkeeper can hold onto the ball increase from six seconds to eight seconds. The previous rule was rarely enforced, but from now on, referees are expected to be a lot stricter. The rule change is being implemented following a trial by the International Football Association Board, and it is expected to be in place at this summer's Club World Cup.
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This summer will see the introduction of a new rule designed to cut down on time-wasting and increase the pace of matches at all levels of the game.
The law will mean that goalkeepers will now have eight seconds to release the ball after catching it, and it looks set to make a significant impact on the sport.
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at the new rule, find out what happens if someone breaks it, and when it will come into place.
When will the rule come into place?
The new eight-second goalkeeper rule will come into force from July 1.
It will be implemented at every level of the game worldwide, from the Premier League to Sunday League and everything in between.
The law's first major tournament will be this summer's Club World Cup.
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The new rule has been tested by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), and it has said that there were only four infringements across hundreds of trial matches.
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 of the IFAB, hosted by the Irish Football Association in Belfast, Northern Ireland."
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Weren't goalkeepers already only allowed to hold the ball for six seconds?
Of course, goalkeepers are currently expected to release the ball within six seconds.
If they do not, then they risk conceding an indirect free-kick inside their own penalty area.
However, the rule was rarely enforced, leading to many goalkeepers holding onto the ball as a time-wasting tactic.
What happens if a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for too long?
As previously stated, under the old law, holding onto the ball for too long would result in the opposition team receiving an indirect free-kick.
However, under the new rules, goalkeepers holding onto the ball for longer than eight seconds will result in a corner being awarded to the opposition team.
The referee will give goalkeepers a five-second warning in order to avoid any confusion and minimise accidental infringements.
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