Tinkering with the rules of the game is not new, but usually involves small changes that nobody notices. Not so this time, there’s a major change to the regulations which has been approved that could actually be beneficial to supporters.
The ‘eight second rule’, as it is being called, will be brought in from July to stop time wasting by goalkeepers. At present the existing rule is that an indirect free kick should be awarded if the keeper holds onto the ball for more than six seconds.
Officials virtually never uphold this particular rule, as awarding an indirect free kick within the penalty area needs big cojones from the ref in a case when a goal results- complete controversy reigns.
So the new rule is eight seconds instead of six – but the attacking side is awarded a corner as a result of the goal keeper not releasing the ball. Some more corners then, but a law imposed more rigorously, designed to stop time wasting.
A few more corners each game would certainly suit James Ward Prowse at West Ham – who narrowly missed a second goal direct from a corner kick against Arsenal when his kick was punched clear from the line by Arsenal’s David Raya.
According to bbc.co.uk: “it is hoped that the new law will lead to a reduction in time wasting. Already trialled in over 400 games in three different competitions, including the Premier League 2, referees will also warn the goalkeepers with a five-second countdown before they are penalised.”
The law will need to be implemented rigorously by every referee or else complete chaos will reign: The idea of a ‘lesser’ corner being awarded instead of the free kick within the ‘box may actually mean the law is upheld and teams stop wasting time.
Somehow, old habits die hard – so I doubt it.
No it won’t cause chaos. Just headline making for you.
Opposition players are also supposed to retreat 10 yards from a free kick but rarely do. I have no faith in any of todays PL referees to enforce any law. They are all hopeless
Our goalies will be in trouble then they never release the ball quick?
Why tinker with a rule referees ignore anyway? If it is applied strictly, I can see the return of keepers hoofing the ball forwards, which would make a pleasant change from the back four “keep ball” we currently witness every week.
how about the referee blowing full time when it actually IS full time? instead they are enforcing a FIFA directive to wait until the current attack move has been successful or unsuccessful. more last minute goals means more viewers stay until the end of a sponsorship-driven broadcast. match fixing for profit
p.s. for legal reasons, this is purely an opinion 😁
How about a yellow for falling on the floorfor no reason other than to waste time…on top of the corner…
I’m fed up not seeing the current rules enforced so don’t see just changing the penalty from an indirect free kick to a corner would work. How many times do we see players literally wrestling eachother at corners yet a penalty is never awarded? A better solution to eliminate all time wasting would be to just stop the clock whenever the ball is not in play. That would prevent any advantage from goalkeepers holding onto the ball and more accurate time allowed for injuries, play acting and any other time wasting.
Fergie wouldn’t be happy but after today’s result show me a happy Man U fan 😀 Now all refs need to do is award penalties for obvious wrestling on corners.
If the goalies holding onto the ball on the pitch the ball is in play?