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Goalkeepers to face new time limit for ball release - BBC

5 December 2024, 15:48

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is moving forward with plans to introduce a stricter eight-second countdown rule for goalkeepers to release the ball, reports BBC.

The updated rule, tested successfully in Premier League 2 and Malta, aims to address the widespread neglect of the current six-second limit, which should result in an indirect free-kick but is often overlooked.

The new version involves the following:

A referee raises their hand in the air after three seconds.

A countdown then begins for the final five seconds, by which time the ball must be released.

A formal implementation of the rule is expected by the 2026-27 season.