Goalkeepers will face a new challenge regarding time-wasting, as the rules will now stipulate that if they hold onto the ball for more than eight seconds, a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team. This decision follows successful trials in England, Italy, and Malta, leading the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to officially amend the current ruling. Previously, an indirect free kick was awarded if the ball was held for over six seconds, but this will change in July.
The new regulation, applicable from grassroots to professional levels, includes a visual countdown from five seconds, which referees will activate to alert goalkeepers of the impending penalty. The adjustment acknowledges that the six-second rule was infrequently enforced, often viewed as overly severe.
During trials, this stringent application only resulted in four warnings, indicating limited issues with time-wasting. FIFA’s secretary general, Mattias Grafstrom, announced plans to implement this rule during the upcoming inaugural Club World Cup, but reaction to the change has been varied, with reservations about its practicality. Critics have questioned whether the countdown will be appropriately paced, and if louder verbal counts from referees might be necessary for clarity.
Former English international goalkeeper Paul Robinson voiced his apprehension concerning the shift from six to eight seconds. He expressed concern that this would allow more scope for time-wasting, arguing that the rule-makers may lack practical experience in the sport. Robinson stated that an extended time limit could encourage goalkeepers to engage in unnecessary delays.
Supporters of the change hope it will result in more uninterrupted play during matches. However, Robinson, alongside other former professionals like Paul Green, believes the reintroduction of a less strict rule might not effectively deter time-wasting and could necessitate future reconsideration of the regulation. Green noted that the prospect of allowing corners as a punishment for time-wasting is unusual, but acknowledged that if it results in more active gameplay, it could be beneficial.
In evaluating the chances of scoring from a corner, data suggests it’s a low-percentage opportunity, generally around four per cent, yet this becomes critical, particularly in the closing stages of tight matches where defending set-pieces could become pivotal. The effectiveness of this new rule will ultimately depend on its implementation and enforcement across competitions, with many in the football community observing how this will evolve in future seasons.