Football Introduces Countdown Clocks to Tackle Time-Wasting
New regulations aimed at reducing time-wasting in football will come into effect from 1 June, just ahead of this summer's World Cup. These measures, approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), could signal the end of the long-throw trend that has become prevalent in the Premier League.
How the New Rules Will Work
The key change involves the introduction of a visual countdown clock for goal kicks and throw-ins. If a referee determines that a player is taking too long or deliberately delaying the restart of play, a five-second countdown will be initiated. Should the ball not be back in play by the end of this countdown, the consequences are significant.
For throw-ins, possession will be awarded to the opposing team. In the case of delayed goal kicks, a corner will be given to the opposition. This latter rule has already been in place this season for goalkeepers holding the ball for excessive periods.
Martin Dubravka, Burnley's goalkeeper, became the first player penalised under this existing provision in August. During a match against Tottenham Hotspur, he held the ball for over eight seconds, resulting in a conceded corner.
Impact on Premier League Delays
The average Premier League match this season has lost 10 minutes and 43 seconds to delays before throw-ins alone, according to figures recorded prior to the latest fixtures. This represents a notable increase from last season's average of 8 minutes and 49 seconds.
While some of these delays are attributable to substitutions, VAR checks, and injuries, the rise suggests that slow throw-ins have been a primary factor. The new rules are designed to address this directly, potentially eradicating the tactical long throw that contributes to these stoppages.
Additional Measures and Player Conduct
The timer system will also apply to substituted players, who must exit the pitch within 10 seconds of the substitution board being raised. Failure to comply means the replacement cannot enter until after the first stoppage following one minute of normal play.
In response to recent racism allegations involving players like Vinicius Junior and Gianluca Prestianni, IFAB has announced plans to develop measures addressing players covering their mouths when confronting opponents during matches. This issue gained attention after Prestianni, a Benfica forward, was investigated by UEFA for allegedly racially abusing Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during a Champions League play-off. The investigation was complicated by Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt while speaking, leading to a one-match suspension for the Argentine player.
Expansion of VAR Powers
IFAB has also approved further enhancements to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. These include allowing VAR intervention when a yellow card has clearly been shown to the wrong player or team. This will extend to red cards resulting from an incorrect second yellow card.
In some competitions, VAR may additionally be permitted to review clearly wrongly awarded corners, provided the check can be completed immediately without delaying the restart of play.
Furthermore, IFAB will conduct trials aimed at curbing tactical timeouts, particularly those prompted by goalkeepers receiving on-field treatment. These comprehensive changes represent a significant step towards maintaining the flow and integrity of the game, ensuring that football remains focused on skill and strategy rather than delay tactics.
