Football League keepers will give away corners and throw-ins for time wasting in new trial

Apr 16, 2024 23:45

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EFL goalkeepers may be prevented from timewasting (Image: Getty)

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) have reportedly outlined the new trial which is set to be implemented and will attempt to limit the amount of time that goalkeepers will be able to hold on the ball. The rules could be trialled in the Football League Trophy for the 2024/25 campaign, which includes League One and League Two clubs, though that is unconfirmed at this stage.

IFAB are keen to crack down on goalkeeper’s time-wasting over the coming campaigns, with studies showing that shot-stoppers retain possession for 20 seconds on average when trying to run down the clock. In contrast, those keen to spark a counter-attack can move the ball on in under six seconds.

It was announced in March that leagues would be invited to trial a new limit on how long goalkeepers can hold onto the ball, with different consequences also set to be implemented to find the most effective way of putting a halt to the recurring issue.

According to ESPN, the IFAB have drawn up how the trials will take place in the 2024/25 campaign, and there is hope that success throughout the season could see the new rules implemented in the 2026/27 campaign.

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Referees will raise their arm when goalkeepers have five seconds left to release the ball (Image: Getty)

The football and technical advisory panel have ruled that a trial will be held which will allow goalkeepers to hold onto the ball for eight seconds as it is viewed as a sufficient amount of time to allow officials to then enforce the new rules.

The referee will start counting the eight seconds from when the goalkeeper is in ‘clear control of the ball’ and will raise their hand when five seconds are remaining. If the goalkeeper is still holding the ball after eight seconds, play will resume with the opposition being awarded possession.

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The new rules could be implemented in the Premier League in the future (Image: Getty) READ MORE Liverpool get update on long-term £70m target as Pedri responds to contract talk

Two trials are set to take place, with the first being that possession will be awarded to the opponent with a corner kick, and the other protocol giving the opposition a throw-in which will be in line with the penalty spot. Previous rules saw free-kicks awarded inside the penalty area, but IFAB feels that those set-pieces are ‘extremely difficult’ to benefit from.

The competitions invited to take part in the trial do not involve teams from the top two domestic levels meaning that the rules will not be implemented in the Premier League, Carabao Cup or FA Cup. Those further down the footballing pyramid who are set to take part will only trial one of the restart methods, to allow for comparisons.