Overview

• Starting June 12 at the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia, goalkeepers holding the ball beyond eight seconds now concede a corner instead of an indirect free kick.
• A visible five-second countdown will be displayed by referees once goalkeepers have full, uncontested control of the ball.
• Trials in Premier League 2 and Malta recorded zero breaches of the eight-second limit in 796 attempts, underscoring the corner sanction’s deterrent effect.
• Birmingham City manager Chris Davies says the amendment will benefit teams seeking quicker play by preventing deliberate delays.
• IFAB has issued new guidance on ‘double touch’ penalties, requiring retakes if the ball rebounds off the non-kicking foot after a successful kick.