The International Football Association Board (IFAB) have announced plans to change one major football rule for the 2025-26 season.
The IFAB have confirmed the rule on goalkeepers time wasting is to be changed next season.
Currently, Law 12.2 states a goalkeeper has six seconds to release the ball before the opposing team is awarded an indirect free-kick. This rule has now been amended.
IFAB make major football rule change for 2025-26 season
The IFAB have voted unanimously in favour of amending Law 12.2.
The amendment means goalkeepers, from next season, will have eight seconds to release the ball before the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.
On-field referees will be aided in their decision making by a visual five-second countdown.
Breaking: Football’s laws to change next season so that a corner instead of an indirect free-kick will be awarded if goalkeeper holds on to the ball for longer than 8 secs. Referees will have a visual five-second countdown. pic.twitter.com/W6ai37uIWi
— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) March 1, 2025
The rule change is the first of its kind since Law 12.2 was first introduced in 1998.
Jose Sa take note
Obviously, the rule change means Jose Sa will be the most affected player.
The Portuguese shot-stopper has received eight bookings since arriving at Molineux. A large portion of these cards would have been shown for time wasting — most likely when Wolves were in winning positions.
This running-the-clock-down strategy is one that will need to be revised ahead of next season though.
Wolves are the Premier League’s fourth highest team when it comes to average number of corners conceded (6.48) per match (APWin).
Vitor Pereira, knowing the new rule on goalkeepers holding onto the ball, will not want to give teams a chance of increasing that average.