The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is considering a possible change in the amount of time allotted to goalkeepers for restarting play.
Currently limited to 6 seconds, this rule is not always enforced by referees, leading to goalkeepers being allowed more time than stipulated. However, the regulatory body responsible for overseeing football rules believes that goalkeepers keeping the ball is an unfair tactic, as reported by ESPN.
The offer suggests giving goalkeepers 8 seconds to restart play from the moment they clearly secure the ball in their hands. If the goalkeeper fails to restart play within the allocated time, the opponent will take a corner kick or a throw-in. The testing of these new measures is planned for the 2024/2025 season.
Former Juventus and Italy national team goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon previously shared his opinion that the rules regarding the size of football goals need to be changed.