IFAB: a corner instead of an indirect free kick if the opposing goalkeeper keeps the ball too long

"If a goalkeeper holds the ball for longer than eight seconds (with the referee using a visual five-second countdown), the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team (rather than the current indirect free kick for more than six seconds)," decided the IFAB at its 139^th annual general meeting, organised by the Irish Football Association (IFA) in Belfast (Northern Ireland) on 01/03/2025. Law 12.2 (indirect free kick), which is very rarely applied by referees in its current form, was amended "unanimously".

"There was an existing law that wasn't applied by referees because the potential consequences were felt to be too strong. Also, an indirect free kick takes a lot of time to prepare it (before it's taken). We carried out tests, which were very successful. The goalkeepers are warned (by the referees) that they have to start moving, otherwise the other team will get a corner kick. A corner is more acceptable than an indirect free kick in the penalty box," said Mattias Grafström, FIFA secretary general, at the press conference following the IFAB AGM.

This new rule will come into…