The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved an amendment to Law 12.2 of the game, bringing a major change for goalkeepers. Starting July 1, 2025, if a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than eight seconds, the opposing team will no longer be awarded an indirect free kick but will instead receive a corner kick.
This new rule aims to speed up the game and curb intentional time-wasting by goalkeepers.
The decision was confirmed during IFAB’s 139th Annual General Meeting in Belfast. Several other rule changes will also take effect on the same date, including a revision to Law 3.10, which concerns the role of team captains.
According to IFAB, “greater cooperation and communication between captains and referees can encourage more respect and fairness.” Moving forward, only the team captain will be allowed to approach the referee in certain situations, limiting the number of players permitted to protest decisions.
It remains to be seen whether referees will show leniency in the first few months or enforce the rule strictly from day one.
