From the next season, a new rule will come into force in football, reported Fabrizio Romano on his official social media page.
The provision has been approved and applies to goalkeepers. It states: “If the goalkeeper holds the ball for more than 8 seconds... the referee awards a corner kick in favor of the opposing team. This rule will be implemented from the next season by the International Football Association Board (IFAB),” Romano wrote.
According to existing rules, each goalkeeper can hold the ball in their hands for a maximum of 6 seconds. If this time expires, a free kick must be awarded within the penalty area. However, referees rarely enforce this rule due to the potential serious consequences of a “non-serious” offense.