New Premier League rule for 2025/26 season could see goalkeepers punished with giving away corner

The latest change in the Premier League rulebook will see goalkeepers get penalised for holding on to the ball for too long. Starting this season, an ‘eight-second rule’ will be introduced in an effort to clamp down on time-wasting. The eight-second count begins when the goalkeeper has full control of the ball and is unchallenged by opponentsGetty If a goalkeeper does not distribute the ball after eight seconds, the opposing team will be awarded with a corner. This innovation replaces the existing six-second rule, where the punishment is an indirect free-kick. However, this rule was seen as too harsh and is seldom applied anyway. It is believed that the new law will be more stringently administered. Referees will warn goalkeepers with a five-second countdown, starting from when they have held the ball for three seconds. But if opponents obstruct or pressure the goalkeeper during the countdown, the referee will stop the count and award a free-kick in favour of the goalkeeper. Are there any other new rules this season? On top of the eight-second rule, there are two more major law changes, as well as a few minor tweaks. Now, only team captains are permitted to approach match officials during games. Unauthorised player interactions may result in a yellow card. If the captain is a goalkeeper, a designated outfield player must speak with the referee on a protesting player’s behalf. The eight-second rule was successfully trialled in Premier League 2 last seasonGetty There were only four instances where goalkeepers were penalised by the eight-second rule in hundreds of trial matchesGetty This is to prevent goalkeepers traversing the pitch to have a conversation with the referee, then returning to their box, ultimately delaying the game. Another significant rule change is the double-touch penalty retake. Penalties will now be retaken if the kicker inadvertently touches the ball twice but scores. Deliberate double-touching, however, leads to an indirect free-kick to the defending team. Previously, if a player touched the ball twice, the goal was automatically disallowed, regardless of perceived intent. As for the minor changes, if a ball accidentally hits a non-player before it goes out of the play, an indirect free-kick is awarded. Just like in rugby, only the captain will be allowed to speak to the referee from now onGetty The double-touch penalty retake was introduced in the Women’s Euros, and allowed Beth Mead to retake oneGetty During penalties, assistant referees will now stand in line with the penalty spot, not the goal line. The semi-automated offside system is now permanent in the Premier League after successful trials last year. Fans will be offered an exciting new insight, with some opening-weekend matches trialling referees wearing body-mounted cameras. Lastly, in what is a sure sign that a new Premier League season is upon us, referees have again promised to clamp down on grappling between players on set-pieces.

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New Premier League rule for 2025/26 season could see goalkeepers punished with giving away corner

The latest change in the Premier League rulebook will see goalkeepers get penalised for holding on to the ball for too long.

Starting this season, an ‘eight-second rule’ will be introduced in an effort to clamp down on time-wasting.

The eight-second count begins when the goalkeeper has full control of the ball and is unchallenged by opponents

If a goalkeeper does not distribute the ball after eight seconds, the opposing team will be awarded with a corner.

This innovation replaces the existing six-second rule, where the punishment is an indirect free-kick.

However, this rule was seen as too harsh and is seldom applied anyway.

It is believed that the new law will be more stringently administered.

Referees will warn goalkeepers with a five-second countdown, starting from when they have held the ball for three seconds.

But if opponents obstruct or pressure the goalkeeper during the countdown, the referee will stop the count and award a free-kick in favour of the goalkeeper.

Are there any other new rules this season?

On top of the eight-second rule, there are two more major law changes, as well as a few minor tweaks.

Now, only team captains are permitted to approach match officials during games.

Unauthorised player interactions may result in a yellow card.

If the captain is a goalkeeper, a designated outfield player must speak with the referee on a protesting player’s behalf.

The eight-second rule was successfully trialled in Premier League 2 last season

There were only four instances where goalkeepers were penalised by the eight-second rule in hundreds of trial matches

This is to prevent goalkeepers traversing the pitch to have a conversation with the referee, then returning to their box, ultimately delaying the game.

Another significant rule change is the double-touch penalty retake.

Penalties will now be retaken if the kicker inadvertently touches the ball twice but scores.

Deliberate double-touching, however, leads to an indirect free-kick to the defending team.

Previously, if a player touched the ball twice, the goal was automatically disallowed, regardless of perceived intent.

As for the minor changes, if a ball accidentally hits a non-player before it goes out of the play, an indirect free-kick is awarded.

Just like in rugby, only the captain will be allowed to speak to the referee from now on

The double-touch penalty retake was introduced in the Women’s Euros, and allowed Beth Mead to retake one

During penalties, assistant referees will now stand in line with the penalty spot, not the goal line.

The semi-automated offside system is now permanent in the Premier League after successful trials last year.

Fans will be offered an exciting new insight, with some opening-weekend matches trialling referees wearing body-mounted cameras.

Lastly, in what is a sure sign that a new Premier League season is upon us, referees have again promised to clamp down on grappling between players on set-pieces.