Sports

International Football Association Board (IFAB’s) New Rule: Corner Kicks for Goalkeeper Time-Wasting

Published

8 months ago

March 1, 2025

Spread the love

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body responsible for defining the Laws of the Game in soccer, has introduced a significant rule change to address goalkeeper time-wasting, effective from the 2025-26 season.

Announced on March 1, 2025, during IFAB’s 139th Annual General Meeting in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the amendment modifies Law 12.2, which governs indirect free kicks. Starting July 1, 2025—though implemented earlier for the FIFA Club World Cup beginning June 14, 2025—goalkeepers who hold the ball for more than eight seconds will concede a corner kick to the opposing team, replacing the rarely enforced six-second limit that previously warranted an indirect free kick.

The change stems from years of frustration over lax enforcement of the existing rule, where goalkeepers often held the ball far beyond six seconds without penalty—an IFAB study noted an average of 20 seconds during deliberate delays, compared to under six for quick releases.

Trials in youth leagues in England, Italy, and Malta’s top flight this season demonstrated the new rule’s effectiveness. Referees used a visual five-second countdown—raising an arm and lowering it like a clock—to signal the final warning, resulting in only four corner kicks awarded across over 400 matches, suggesting a strong deterrent effect. IFAB’s data indicates goalkeepers adjusted their behavior, releasing the ball faster to avoid the penalty, aligning with the goal of speeding up play.

Unlike the indirect free kick, which referees hesitated to award due to its proximity to goal and high scoring potential, a corner kick offers a balanced consequence: it punishes time-wasting without overly favoring the attacking team, as scoring from corners is less likely than from free kicks inside the box.

The rule will apply universally, though leagues can opt to adopt it earlier or delay until their next season if mid-campaign by July 2025. This shift, unanimously approved by IFAB’s members—FIFA and the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—marks a pragmatic step to enhance game flow, with early implementation set for the FIFA Club World Cup, including teams like Chelsea and Manchester City.

Sports

Kelleher Denies Ronaldo Penalty as Neves Nets Late Winner for Portugal over Ireland

Published

2 weeks ago

October 12, 2025

KSmylesGH

Kelleher saves from Ronaldo's penalty!

Spread the love

In a dramatic World Cup qualifier in Lisbon, Portugal secured a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland, with Ruben Neves scoring a stoppage-time header to break Irish hearts.

Caoimhin Kelleher, Ireland’s goalkeeper, was the standout performer, notably saving a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 75th minute after a controversial handball call against Dara O’Shea.

75’ | Caoimhín Kelleher denies Cristiano Ronaldo from the penalty spot!

Caoimhín Kelleher denies Cristiano Ronaldo from the penalty spot! What a save!

Despite Ireland’s resilient defensive display, which limited Portugal’s 30 shots to just six on target, Rúben Neves’ 91st-minute goal, assisted by Francisco Trincao, sealed the win for Portugal, maintaining their perfect record in Group F.

The match echoed a 2021 encounter where Ronaldo also had a penalty saved but later scored twice late to win. Ireland, now bottom of the group with one point, face a must-win game against Armenia next. Neves dedicated his goal to the late Diogo Jota, wearing the number 21 in tribute.

Rúben Neves pointing to the sky and showing off his Diogo Jota tattoo after scoring his first-career goal for Portuga

Sports

Chelsea Stuns Liverpool with Estevao’s Stoppage-Time Winner

Published

3 weeks ago

October 5, 2025

KSmylesGH

Enzo Maresca ran across the pitch to celebrate with his team after Estêvão’s late winner

Spread the love

In a pulsating Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea pulled off a stunning late comeback to defeat reigning champions Liverpool 2-1, thanks to an 18-year-old substitute’s thunderbolt in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Estêvão Willian, the Brazilian wonderkid who joined Chelsea from Palmeiras in a £29 million deal earlier this summer, marked his first goal for the club with a clinical finish that sent the home crowd into ecstasy and left Liverpool manager Arne Slot ruing another heartbreaking collapse.

KEY MOMENTS

32′ – Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool (Moisés Caicedo): The Blues took the lead with a moment of brilliance from midfield maestro Caicedo. Pouncing on a loose ball after outrunning Alexis Mac Allister, the Ecuadorian unleashed a 22-yard screamer into the top corner with his right foot, leaving Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili rooted to the spot. Stamford Bridge erupted as Chelsea’s high-pressing game plan paid dividends early on.
68′ – Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool (Cody Gakpo): Just when Chelsea looked in cruise control, Liverpool clawed their way back. Gakpo, the Dutch forward, latched onto a clever through-ball from Dominik Szoboszlai and slotted home past Robert Sánchez to level the scores. It was a lifeline for the visitors, who had been second-best for much of the first half but grew into the game after the break.
90+5′ – Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool (Estêvão Willian): The defining moment came deep into added time. Enzo Fernández, pulling the strings from midfield, slipped a precise pass to Marc Cucurella on the left flank. The Spanish full-back whipped in a low, teasing cross across the six-yard box, evading the despairing dive of Andrew Robertson. Estêvão, timing his run to perfection, slid in at the back post to divert the ball home for a debut goal that will live long in Chelsea folklore. Manager Enzo Maresca sprinted the length of the touchline in celebration, earning a second yellow card and a trip to the stands.

This victory catapults Chelsea up to sixth in the league table with 11 points from seven games, their first win over Liverpool since a 1-0 triumph at Anfield in March 2021. For the Reds, it’s a third straight defeat across all competitions—their worst run since 2021—dropping them to second on 15 points, one behind new leaders Arsenal (who beat West Ham 2-0 earlier that day). Slot’s side, once lauded for late winners, have now conceded stoppage-time goals in back-to-back league outings, raising questions about their defensive fragility under pressure.

Estêvão’s strike not only stunned Liverpool but also highlighted Chelsea’s youth revolution paying off. At 18 years and 122 days, he becomes the second-youngest Brazilian to score in the Premier League, behind only Rafael da Silva’s debut for Manchester United in 2008.

Sports

Rüdiger Out Three Months with Thigh Injury, Jeopardizing Real Madrid’s Title Push

Published

2 months ago

September 13, 2025

KSmylesGH

Spread the love

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has been ruled out for three months after sustaining a left thigh injury to his rectus femoris muscle, as announced by the club on September 12, 2025.

The setback comes at a pivotal time, with the team facing crucial La Liga derbies against Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, plus Champions League clashes with Juventus and Liverpool.

Manager Xavi Alonso will turn to options like Éder Militão and Aurélien Tchouaméni to shore up the defense, while Rüdiger’s absence also disrupts Germany’s World Cup qualifiers.

The timing is particularly damaging as Real Madrid aim to challenge for La Liga and the Champions League. With rivals like Barcelona and Atlético Madrid strengthening, this injury highlights vulnerabilities in squad depth, especially after a summer where no major defensive reinforcements were added beyond Huijsen.

Reports also suggest Real Madrid may not extend Rüdiger’s contract, set to expire in 2026, potentially allowing him to leave as a free agent amid rumors of a career decline.