IFAB confirm another rule change

Fans already thinking ahead to the 2025/26 season will be interested to know another rule change has been approved by the International Football Association Board.

The latest tweak follows so much controversy regarding Julian Alvarez’s disallowed spot-kick during the penalty shootout between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, in the Champions League round of 16.

The Argentina international slipped and inadvertently touched the ball twice when scoring past Thibaut Courtois, with VAR picking up the fault, and the strike being overturned.

Atletico went on to lose to their fierce city rivals. 

Consequently, after a review, IFAB have clarified the penalty-kick law, stating that such instances will now result in a retake.

“When the penalty-taker accidentally kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously, or when the ball touches the penalty-taker’s non-kicking foot or leg immediately after they have taken the kick, if the ball enters the goal, it will be repeated.”

This is only one thing to be aware of ahead of next term, as other rule changes were previously announced, following IFAB’s annual conference in March.

Among the amendments were a new edict to prevent goalkeepers from timewasting, something that frustrates most supporters.

A keeper can now only hold the ball for a maximum of eight seconds, with the referee instructed to present a visual countdown of the last five of these, in order to highlight the situation. Instead of an indirect free-kick as punishment, a corner will now be awarded for this offence.

There is also a fresh stipulation that only team captains can approach the referee in specific situations to help avoid dissent and “help instil higher levels of fairness and mutual respect, both of which are core values of the game”.

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