IFAB Law Changes for 2025/26

[Big Cat]

Admittedly, I have very little respect for IFAB, so maybe that makes me negative
However, whilst the GK holding onto the ball excessively is a scourge on the game, I'm concerned that it's a mistake by IFAB to draw additional attention to the problem with this law change. The game is enough of a circus already and it strikes me this will only draw even more attention towards the officials. The players always win in the end and I have a strong feeling that IFAB have been naïve in thinking this is going to work
I think it's a mistake. I'm not comfortable myself with the idea of constantly doing a count on the FOP

 

[CaptainsPlease]

Admittedly, I have very little respect for IFAB, so maybe that makes me negative
However, whilst the GK holding onto the ball excessively is a scourge on the game, I'm concerned that it's a mistake by IFAB to draw additional attention to the problem with this law change. The game is enough of a circus already and it strikes me this will only draw even more attention towards the officials. The players always win in the end and I have a strong feeling that IFAB have been naïve in thinking this is going to work
I think it's a mistake. I'm not comfortable myself with the idea of constantly doing a count on the FOP

The feedback from the trials is pretty encouraging. Apparently it has only had to be penalised four times despite strict enforcement.

What is the new eight second goalkeeper rule in football?

From this summer goalkeepers will be allowed eight seconds from catching the ball to releasing it, in the latest attempt to cut down on time-wasting.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Big Cat]

The feedback from the trials is pretty encouraging. Apparently it has only had to be penalised four times despite strict enforcement.

What is the new eight second goalkeeper rule in football?

From this summer goalkeepers will be allowed eight seconds from catching the ball to releasing it, in the latest attempt to cut down on time-wasting.

www.bbc.co.uk

They weren't trialling it with 'the big lads' though
We'll wait and see. Maybe it could work. But there's a good chance it will backfire

Not denying it is a problem however and my 'do nothing' solution is not great either
Don't underestimate the players though. They will win at this game in the end

 

[RustyRef]

They weren't trialling it with 'the big lads' though
We'll wait and see. Maybe it could work. But there's a good chance it will backfire

Not denying it is a problem however and my 'do nothing' solution is not great either
Don't underestimate the players though. They will win at this game in the end

I do fear that the number of keeper injuries will increase significantly. But at least referees can add that one, they can't add on the minutes per game that are wasted by keepers holding onto the ball.

 

[Archer]

Must be nice to support a team whose goalkeeper can actually catch and hold on to the f**king ball for 8 seconds tbh.

 

[blackref]

my county FA refused to allow me to wear bodycam at grassroots despite me being assaulted and threatened previously and me prepared to pay for the equipment myself and wear it in a public park pitch! To say I felt un-supported is an understatement!

 

[socal lurker]

View attachment 7971
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/

I don't know about others but I physically struggle visualy counting 5 to 0 using my hand. But I can easlily do 0 to 5.

Another example of a pointless caution to make people feel they are doing something. It is giving up the CK that is going to change behavior, not a caution. Heck, the opponents are goi g to be pretty happy each time the GK does this, as it gives them a free.

 

[RustyRef]

my county FA refused to allow me to wear bodycam at grassroots despite me being assaulted and threatened previously and me prepared to pay for the equipment myself and wear it in a public park pitch! To say I felt un-supported is an understatement!

Absolutely nothing to do with your county FA, it is prohibited by IFAB and the laws. That will be changing obviously, but using them isn't allowed yet unless officiating on a trial league.

 

[CaptainsPlease]

Another example of a pointless caution to make people feel they are doing something. It is giving up the CK that is going to change behavior, not a caution. Heck, the opponents are goi g to be pretty happy each time the GK does this, as it gives them a free.

This isn't cautionable.

 

[Runner Ref]

my county FA refused to allow me to wear bodycam at grassroots despite me being assaulted and threatened previously and me prepared to pay for the equipment myself and wear it in a public park pitch! To say I felt un-supported is an understatement!

They aren’t yet allowed, except for the trial leagues. There’s a bit more to it than just sticking a camera on yourself.

 

[RustyRef]

This isn't cautionable.

Reports are that the first occasion of the keeper not releasing it won't have a sanction other than a corner, any subsequent offences will be a caution.

 

[socal lurker]

This isn't cautionable.

As @RustyRef responded, and as stated in what @one posted that I was responding to, the PL has supposedly instructed that a second offense is to be cautioned. Unless there is more that IFAB intends to put in the Laws than what I have seen, the only basis for that in Law would are persistent offending. (And a second offense is an odd definition of persistent.)

 

[CaptainsPlease]

Reports are that the first occasion of the keeper not releasing it won't have a sanction other than a corner, any subsequent offences will be a caution.

As @RustyRef responded, and as stated in what @one posted that I was responding to, the PL has supposedly instructed that a second offense is to be cautioned. Unless there is more that IFAB intends to put in the Laws than what I have seen, the only basis for that in Law would are persistent offending. (And a second offense is an odd definition of persistent.)

OK I hadn't noticed that. I doubt anything is being put into Law and this will only be based on the harshest possible interpretation of persistent offences. As a mere mortal not subject to PL directives I think warning at the second, caution at the third is sufficient and can't be argued with.

 

[OnlyUseMeWhistle]

As a former GK this change will suck. Any referee who starts the 8 seconds with me still on the floor after a catch from a shot or a corner, likely with players still stood around me, is going to force me to rush or punish me for not doing so.

The ambiguousness around when the 8 seconds actually starts will just cause frustration no matter how you apply it

 

[Runner Ref]

As a former GK this change will suck. Any referee who starts the 8 seconds with me still on the floor after a catch from a shot or a corner, likely with players still stood around me, is going to force me to rush or punish me for not doing so.

The ambiguousness around when the 8 seconds actually starts will just cause frustration no matter how you apply it

Well that’s kind of the point. Goalkeepers only have themselves to blame for taking the p*ss.

My concern (other than it not being applied instantly) if whether this will leak to other restarts like goal kicks and throw ins taking even longer. Players are always looking for loopholes, so they could well use these to run the clock down in lieu of the goalkeeper having control

 

[OnlyUseMeWhistle]

Well that’s kind of the point. Goalkeepers only have themselves to blame for taking the p*ss.

My concern (other than it not being applied instantly) if whether this will leak to other restarts like goal kicks and throw ins taking even longer. Players are always looking for loopholes, so they could well use these to run the clock down in lieu of the goalkeeper having control

It's totally right to clamp down on this, but at grassroots they're sometimes just old, overweight or in my case disabled.

8 seconds isn't as long as it seems when you've just jumped for the ball and hit the floor afterwards, chances are there are still players in the box!

 

[RefereeX]

I think the point is to start the 8 second countdown when the referee feels the keeper is ready to begin the process of releasing the ball (i.e. stood up with ball in hands or laid down but ready to get up, just choosing not to). It can't begin as soon as the keeper has the ball, because some times gathering themselves together will take up half of their 8 seconds.

 

[one]

There are also lots of intricacies around this. What do you do if there is interference by apponent during this 8 seconds (but not prevented from releasing).
Or half way through the count there 'suspecious' collision with a team mate the ball drops.

Those who do funtsal know about all the loopholes the team in possession or the opponents can find.

 

[santa sangria]

Like any law change or interpretation change it will need to be trained.

It is simple in futsal. When the GK is ready (upright, ball in hand, ball in playing area) you start the count with hand signal and verbal.

If the GK stays down you either stop play (injury, DB etc.) or tell them to get on with it and the count.

If an attacker tries to prevent the GK from releasing the ball you either verbally warn them, IDFK, yellow or all of the above

In futsal there’s a lot of training about starting the count e.g. when GK shields the ball to take possession in own half, or if a player sets up a kick-in then leaves it to another team mate.

I think this football GK count will be easy. And the opening 3 seconds will be elastic at grassroots. I just want to know exactly what fingers and whistle timing we should use!

 

[one]

I think just like most other new laws, it will take a few iterations of law changes to get this close to right.

Think, attacking handball goal.
Or referee interference dropped ball.