IFAB Trial to Tackle Time Wasting; Celtic Fans Will be Delighted

Celtic Park often witnesses the time-wasting antics of opposition goalkeepers, but a new trial by the International Football Association Board could put an end to this frustrating practice.

Under the current rules, goalkeepers are not allowed to hold the ball for more than six seconds, a rule that is rarely enforced, as many Celtic fans will know.

To address this, IFAB has introduced a trial for the 2024-25 season that will test new methods for penalising excessive time-holding by goalkeepers. The proposed changes could lead to either a corner or a throw-in for the opposing team, instead of the traditional indirect free kick. [ESPN]

The reluctance of referees to enforce the six-second rule stems from the disproportionate advantage a close-range free kick offers the attacking team. The new protocols are designed to discourage goalkeepers from unnecessarily delaying the Game by providing a less drastic but still punitive alternative.

During the trial, referees will allow goalkeepers up to eight seconds and will visually count down the final five seconds, similar to methods used in futsal and beach soccer. The first infraction will result in a warning, and subsequent offences will lead to cautions for the goalkeeper.

This trial will not take place in top-tier comPetitions but could be implemented in lower divisions, such as the Football League Trophy in England, which features clubs from League One and League Two. Depending on the success of these trials, assessed in IFAB meetings at the end of 2025, this new rule could be adopted widely in the 2026-27 season.

By introducing these changes, IFAB hopes to eliminate or reduce goalkeeper time-wasting, thereby improving the overall pace and integrity of the Game.