The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has officially approved a new rule aimed at goalkeepers.
Starting next season, goalkeepers will be penalized for holding the ball for more than eight seconds.
Fabrizio Romano posted on X that in such a scenario, the match referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team. This decision, supported by IFAB, is meant to reduce time-wasting in the game.
Currently, Law 12.2 allows goalkeepers six seconds to release the ball, with an indirect free kick as the penalty for exceeding this limit. However, enforcement has been inconsistent.
The new rule extends the time limit to eight seconds, with referees using a visual five-second countdown to indicate the impending penalty.
If the goalkeeper fails to release the ball in time, the opposing team will gain a corner kick.
