Another innovative change has been implemented in the world of football – the new official rule concerning the time goalkeepers are allowed to hold the ball in their hands has come into force, and it was applied for the very first time at the Club World Cup. This novelty has been noted as an important turning point in football history.
Experienced French referee Clément Turpin entered history as the first referee to enforce this new rule during the match between "Ulsan Hyundai" and "Mamelodi Sundowns" (0:1). This match was part of Group F, round 1, and a remarkable episode occurred in the 83rd minute.
The goalkeeper of the South African club "Mamelodi Sundowns," Ronwen Williams, held the ball in his hands for too long, and the referee awarded a corner kick. This was the first such case in football history, which led to widespread discussion in global media.
The new rule was proposed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in March 2025. According to the rule, if a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than 8 seconds, the attacking team is awarded a corner kick. Initially, this proposal was considered experimental, but soon it was officially approved by IFAB and began to be actively enforced.
The new procedure was introduced to control time more efficiently and increase the pace of the game. Until now, there was a theoretical 6-second limit for goalkeepers, but in practice, it was almost never enforced. The new 8-second specific limit, and the punishment of a corner kick, make this rule much more effective and impactful.
Football experts are divided on the new rule: some see this step as a positive initiative to make the game faster, while others consider it too harsh on goalkeepers. However, regardless of perspective, such innovations play an important role in making football a more modern and entertaining sport. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!
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