Changes to football constitution published, including penalties for goalkeepers

Posted : 27 March 2025

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has announced significant changes to football rules for the 2025/26 season, with several updates aimed at improving the pace of the game. One of the most notable changes concerns goalkeepers. Starting in June 2025, goalkeepers will be allowed to hold the ball for up to eight seconds, an increase from the previous six-second limit. However, if they exceed this time, a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team, ensuring a more stringent enforcement of time limits.

In the past, the law allowed a goalkeeper to hold the ball for six seconds after taking possession. Beyond that, referees would typically encourage the goalkeeper to release the ball but would rarely impose a penalty. This led to time-wasting tactics, with some goalkeepers holding onto the ball for up to 20 seconds to slow down the game. The new eight-second rule aims to curb this behavior, with referees signaling after five seconds to alert the goalkeeper that time is running out.

Additionally, the IFAB has introduced a procedure for situations where members of the bench inadvertently touch the ball before it crosses the sideline. In such cases, the opposing team will be awarded a free ball. This change ensures that the game continues without unnecessary delays caused by accidental interference from the technical area.

Another key change involves the use of an intermediate ball when play is restarted. If the ball is inside the penalty area, the referee will give an intermediate ball to the goalkeeper of the defending team. If the ball is outside the penalty area, the referee will return the ball to the last player who touched it or to the location where the game was stopped, depending on which is easier to determine.

The IFAB has also addressed the rule regarding offside positions. When a goalkeeper releases the ball with their hand, the last point of contact will now determine the offside position, similar to a pass made with the foot. This aligns with the intention to make the offside law clearer and more consistent across different situations.

In terms of penalties, the "double contact" rule remains unchanged, despite the controversial case involving Julian Alvarez in the Champions League. UEFA has acknowledged the situation and plans to discuss possible adjustments to prevent unfair penalties in cases of accidental slips during the kick.

Other notable changes include modifications to Rule 3, which now allows only the captain to approach the referee, and Rule 5, which introduces a manual marking system for the final five seconds a goalkeeper can hold the ball. Rule 12 clarifies that a corner will be awarded when a goalkeeper exceeds the eight-second limit for holding the ball, with the corner taken at the nearest side of the field.

VAR protocols have been updated. Referees are now required to announce the decision publicly after reviewing a situation with VAR, ensuring greater transparency in the decision-making process. This allows players, coaches, and spectators to better understand the reasoning behind the referee’s decision, adding a layer of accountability to the use of video technology.

Changes to football constitution published, including penalties for goalkeepers

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