Football Lawmakers Debate New Countdown Rule for Throw-ins and Goal-kicks

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) — football’s official law-making body — has held discussions about introducing countdown timers for throw-ins and goal-kicks to tackle increasing timewasting tactics in professional football.

At Tuesday’s meeting of IFAB’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels (FAP-TAP), members debated how to address growing stoppages caused by long throw-ins and delayed goal-kicks, both of which have become strategic tools for teams across major leagues.

Under the proposed system, referees would impose a visible countdown to encourage faster restarts, mirroring the eight-second goalkeeper release rule that was introduced earlier this year.

The countdown rule would apply once the ball is available to be played, and referees would signal when the final five seconds begin. Failure to restart play within the time limit could lead to a turnover or a corner awarded to the opposition.

The proposal reflects IFAB’s continuing push to speed up play and improve match flow, as lengthy pauses have increasingly frustrated fans and broadcasters.

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Premier League Long Throws and Delays Spark Debate

The timing of the discussion coincides with a surge in long-throw tactics in the Premier League, particularly from teams like Brentford, whose defender Michael Kayode has become renowned for his powerful deliveries.

Such throws often require teams to reset their positioning, creating prolonged stoppages. Similarly, goalkeepers have been criticized for running down the clock during crucial moments.

A notable example came last weekend when Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was penalized with a corner after holding the ball for 13 seconds in stoppage time against Liverpool — the first high-profile enforcement of the eight-second rule.

These incidents have strengthened the argument that stricter timing measures are needed to maintain fairness and tempo in the modern game.

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VAR Second Yellow Card Reviews to Be Introduced

In addition to the countdown debate, IFAB’s advisory panels approved a proposal to expand VAR authority to include reviews of second yellow card offences — a long-debated reform aimed at reducing wrongful dismissals.

Currently, VAR can only intervene in straight red card incidents. If approved, referees would be able to consult video replay after a player is sent off for two yellow cards, but only to overturn an incorrect second booking, not to review all potential cautions.

Over the past two Premier League seasons, the Key Match Incident (KMI) Panel identified 17 wrongful red cards from second yellow situations — a figure IFAB believes is too high to ignore.

The proposal will now advance to IFAB’s Annual Business Meeting on 20 January, followed by potential ratification at the Annual General Meeting in Cardiff on 28 February 2026. If approved, the new VAR rule will take effect from the 2026-27 season.

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No VAR for Incorrect Corners, Offside Law Still Under Review

IFAB ultimately rejected a proposal to extend VAR to incorrectly awarded corners that lead to goals, citing concerns about additional delays and complexity.

However, a low-level trial continues for a modified offside law, where a player would be considered onside if any part of their body is level with the second-last defender — a rule strongly supported by Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Head of Global Football Development.

The goal of the adjustment is to encourage more attacking play and reduce frustration over marginal offside calls. Yet, some experts, including former referees on the panel, warned of potential tactical distortions that could change defensive systems.

The advisory panel — featuring prominent football figures such as Wenger, Luis Figo, and Pierluigi Collina — meets every October to review proposed law amendments before they reach the IFAB assembly.

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The Road Ahead for Football Law Changes

With discussions now under way on both VAR expansion and restart countdowns, IFAB continues to evolve football’s laws to balance fair play, game flow, and spectator experience.

Should the countdown rule be adopted, it would represent one of the most significant time-management reforms in football since the introduction of the goalkeeper six-second rule in the 1990s.

Fans, players, and coaches alike will be watching closely to see how IFAB’s proposals shape the future pace — and fairness — of the beautiful game.