In a significant change to football’s laws, Howard Webb, the Chief Refereeing Officer of PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), has outlined a new rule aimed at curbing time-wasting by goalkeepers. Starting from the 2025-26 season, goalkeepers will be limited to eight seconds to release the ball after catching it, with referees penalising any breach by awarding a corner to the opposing team. This development was detailed in a recent discussion on Sky Sports Football, where Webb elaborated on the rule’s implications.
The rule change, approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), follows successful trials in England, Italy, and Malta, and will be implemented worldwide from 1 July 2025. Webb explained that the primary objective is to enhance the flow of the game and reduce instances of time-wasting, a tactic often employed by goalkeepers to disrupt the opposition’s momentum. “Referees will punish goalkeepers holding on to the ball for more than eight seconds by awarding a corner to the opposition,” Webb stated, emphasising the rule’s simplicity and its potential to make matches fairer and quicker.
Joining the discussion was Chris Wilder, the former Sheffield United manager renowned for his tactical acumen and success in promoting the club through the English football leagues. Wilder, who led Sheffield United to promotions from both League One and the Championship, expressed support for the new rule, highlighting its potential to prevent goalkeepers from “flopping about all over the place for 15 to 20 seconds and winding everybody up.” He believes this change will contribute to speeding up the game, aligning with the professional demands of modern football.
Joining the discussion was Chris Wilder, the former Sheffield United manager renowned for his tactical acumen and success in promoting the club through the English football leagues. Wilder, who led Sheffield United to promotions from both League One and the Championship, expressed support for the new rule, highlighting its potential to prevent goalkeepers from “flopping about all over the place for 15 to 20 seconds and winding everybody up.” He believes this change will contribute to speeding up the game, aligning with the professional demands of modern football.
Joining the discussion was Chris Wilder, the former Sheffield United manager renowned for his tactical acumen and success in promoting the club through the English football leagues. Wilder, who led Sheffield United to promotions from both League One and the Championship, expressed support for the new rule, highlighting its potential to prevent goalkeepers from “flopping about all over the place for 15 to 20 seconds and winding everybody up.” He believes this change will contribute to speeding up the game, aligning with the professional demands of modern football.