kindee1688 The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a new rule that will award a corner to the opposing team if a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for more than eight seconds, with the referee set to officially take it next season.

Under the old rules, a goalkeeper who held the ball for more than six seconds was penalised with two free kicks, which was rare. kindee1688

The new eight-second rule has been trialled in over 400 games in three different competitions, including Premier League 2, with referees warning goalkeepers by counting down from five before carrying out a penalty. FIFA general secretary Matthias Grafstrom said the trial had been a great success and referees had not awarded corners as many times as before, with the rule set to be officially introduced next summer. ( kindee1688 )