FIFA has approved a new rule penalizing goalkeepers who hold the ball for more than eight seconds by awarding a corner kick to the opposing team. This regulation, ratified by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), will take effect during the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States. Previously, goalkeepers had a six-second limit, with violations resulting in an indirect free kick.
The rule aims to curb time-wasting, as the enforcement of the previous six-second rule had weakened over the years. Trials in over 400 matches showed positive results, with referees using a five-second countdown before imposing the penalty. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom confirmed that the implementation was effective, with minimal instances of goalkeepers exceeding the limit.
Additionally, IFAB is continuing to test changes to offside rules, potentially allowing attackers to remain onside if their torso aligns with the second-to-last defender. These adjustments aim to make the game more fluid and competitive.