New Rule to Combat Time-Wasting Energizes Football Experts
A groundbreaking approach to keep the game flowing could be implemented in football following successful trials across youth leagues.
The proposed rule, spearheaded by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), would punish goalkeepers for delaying the game. If a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than eight seconds, the referee would award an indirect free kick to the opposition in a corner spot. This innovative rule aims to incentivize quicker ball distribution and prevent frustrating moments of time-wasting.
IFAB member Patrick Nelson emphasized the rule’s impact: “A coach’s anger towards any goalkeeper who sacrificed a chance due to time-wasting blah blah blah -will definitely result in the goalkeeper not doing it twice. This will change the behavior of goalkeepers, and the tests are bringing promising data,” Nelson explained.
The tests, already implemented in Malta and the English under-21 championship, are showing encouraging results.
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Nelson highlighted imposing positive results: “In these tests, ‘incidents of corners being awarded’ are almost non-existent,'” he said. “This indicates that the deterrence factor is exactly what we’d like it to be and is speeding up the process of goalkeepers releasing the ball and getting the game going.”
The potential new rule draws inspiration from an existing but rarely enforced rule that allows referees to award an indirect free kick for time-
wasting by a goalkeeper. This proposal reimagines this rule, enhancing its clarity and effectiveness.
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IFAB is expected to discuss the rule further and potentially move it to full implementation across all levels of professional football.
Will this rule change fundamentally alter the nature of goalkeeping in football?
## Will a new rule change the beautiful game forever?
Today we’re joined by IFAB member, Patrick Nelson, to discuss the potential implementation of a radical new rule aimed at tackling time-wasting in football. Patrick, welcome to the show.
**Nelson:** Thank you for having me.
This new rule, which has already been tested in youth leagues like the Premier League 2, would penalize goalkeepers for holding onto the ball for more than eight seconds. The punishment? An indirect free kick to the opposition from a corner spot.
**Nelson:** You’re right. Essentially, the rule aims to speed up the game and discourage the frustrating tactic of goalkeepers holding onto the ball to run down the clock. The initial trials have been very promising. We’re seeing a noticeable decrease in time-wasting incidents, suggesting that the threat of a corner kick is effective Deterring goalkeepers from delaying the game.
**But some might argue that this rule could overshadow skilled goalkeeping. What are your thoughts on that?**
