A Club World Cup 8 second rule call from a referee caught the attention of fans on Tuesday as it marked the first time that the new rule has been used.
The “8 second rule” from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) will be implemented for next season. The new law of the game states that if a goalkeeper holds the ball for longer than eight seconds then the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.
During Tuesday’s group stage game between Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns the goalkeeper of the South African club became the first player guilty of violating the new law.
Club World Cup 8 second rule
¡LA REGLA DE LOS 8 SEGUNDOS SE APLICA POR PRIMERA VEZ EN EL MUNDIAL DE CLUBES! ⏱️
El portero tardó en sacar y Turpin, siguiendo el reglamento, lo sancionó con córner en contra @FIFACWC | Todos los partidos gratis en https://t.co/yWCWbevPop #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/pH0ODfPP7m— DAZN Fútbol (@DAZNFutbol) June 18, 2025
For those who remember, the old rule used to be that if a goalkeeper held the ball for longer than six seconds an indirect free kick would be awarded for the opposing team. That rule was hardly ever called and was a spectacle anytime it happened.
⏰ 'An indirect free kick is awarded if the goalkeeper holds the ball in his hands for more than 6 seconds' — do not time waste in Finland! pic.twitter.com/VIOX4VRYvQ
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) October 1, 2023
It’s hard to say if the new “8 second rule” will be heavily enforced in the season to come, but we sure hope so. There are few things more annoying than when a goalkeeper makes a save, falls down on the ball, bounces it around for a little bit and then boots it away after wasting 30 seconds of everyone’s time.
