The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is considering a proposal for a countdown rule for throw-ins and goal-kicks. The aim is to reduce time wasting which has become a growing concern in modern football. Officials raised the issue after noticing a rise in long throw-ins used as tactical plays, especially by Brentford and defender Michael Kayode.
Push for Faster Play
IFAB discussed the proposal during Tuesday’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels meeting. The countdown would give players a fixed time limit to restart play. If they delay beyond the limit, the opposing team could gain possession. The board believes this step will improve the flow of matches and reduce unnecessary delays.
This proposal follows the introduction of the new eight-second rule for goalkeepers – Referees now penalise goalkeepers who hold the ball for too long. Recently, Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher breached the rule by holding the ball for 13 seconds in a match against Liverpool. The referee awarded a corner, and the incident sparked debate across the league.
VAR Changes Also Discussed
During the meeting, IFAB also backed a plan to expand the usage of VAR – Officials want VAR to review incidents that lead to a second yellow card and a red card. At the moment, VAR only checks direct red card decisions. Supporters of the change believe it will make refereeing decisions more accurate.
However, IFAB rejected a suggestion to allow VAR reviews for incorrect corner decisions that lead to goals. Members said the game should not stop too often for minor details because it would slow down the tempo.
Next Steps
Meanwhile, it has been agreed that every new rule must pass more review stages before approval. IFAB could test the countdown rule in selected competitions before making a final decision. The topic will likely return at IFAB’s annual general meeting next year.
Football continues to evolve, and IFAB wants to make the sport faster, fairer and more enjoyable. The countdown rule, if approved, could become one of the biggest game management changes in recent years.
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