The English found the right solution to force the goalkeepers to return the ball to the game as quickly as possible. This idea is already being tested in the under-21 competition. The new rule was revealed by the head of the Premier League Referees Association (PGMOL), Howard Webb. It could apply from next season.
Speaking on SkyBet, the former FIFA referee said the aim was to minimize the time goalkeepers needed to return the ball into play.
Under current rules, goalkeepers are not allowed to hold the ball for more than six seconds, but referees rarely penalize them when they go outside that time frame. The reason may also be that they would have to award an indirect free kick to the opponent from inside the penalty area.
English football club Nottingham Forest has been fined £750,000 and reprimanded by the Independent Regulatory Commission. The reason was the criticism they directed towards the referee Stuart Attwell overseeing the VAR system last season.
The penalty will be a corner kick for the opponent
According to the new rule, a corner kick in favor of the opponent is to be awarded whenever the goalkeeper holds the ball in his possession for more than six seconds. “In Premier League 2 something is already being tested if the goalkeeper holds the ball for more than six seconds.
If he holds it for eight seconds and does not release it, a corner kick is awarded to the opponent. It works in such a way that the referee starts counting down after 3 seconds and if the goalkeeper is naive enough and does not release the ball, then he is subsequently punished with a corner. explained Howard Webb.
Coach Nuno Espirito Santo has been suspended for three matches after the incident in the meeting with Brighton. The Nottingham Forest coach must also pay a fine of 55,000 pounds (66,157 euros).
Garry Neville likes the idea
Former Manchester United player and now football expert Gary Neville is one of the supporters of the new rule. “I like it, I think we all do. The biggest delay of the game is when goalkeepers hold the ball for more than six seconds.” commented the former English representative.
Neville claims that the finger is often pointed at fielders when they kick the ball far into the stands: “This lost time is much less than the delay caused by the goalkeepers, 13 to 14 seconds. They are not penalized and this rule still applies! That offends me!’
