With the laws of the game modified at the beginning of every season, there is a key goalkeeper law change that could favour time-wasting tactics in the PSL ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
PSL goalkeepers are notorious for time-wasting tactics, especially holding onto the ball too long and not penalised - this delaying gamesmanship is also common in African club competitions.
To assist shot-stoppers and to ensure they would have no excuse for holding onto the ball for too long (more than eight seconds), the IFAB has modified Law 5 on Referees, where they will be required to signal the last five seconds to the goalkeeper prior to him releasing the ball from his hands or arms.
And crucially, the indirect free-kick punishment for a goalkeeper holding the ball more than eight seconds has been changed.
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Instead, a corner-kick, outlined in law 17, will be awarded instead of an indirect free kick which was the case previously, if a shot-stopper holds on the ball for more than eight seconds.
According to IFAB, the goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball with their hand(s) or arm (s) when:
• the ball is between their hands or arms and any surface (e.g. ground or own body)
• holding the ball in their outstretched open hand(s)
• bouncing it on the ground or throwing it in the air
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The rule change further states that, "The referee will decide when the goalkeeper has control of the ball and the eight seconds begin and will visually count down the last five seconds with a raised hand".
Previously, referees perhaps were lenient to punishing goalkeepers for holding the ball more than eight seconds, as the punishment had severe consequences, an offense which was penalised with an indirect free-kick (inside the box).
However, the officials in charge of games could feel more free to be strict with regards to goalkeepers holding the ball for more than eight seconds, as that offence will be penalised with a corner-kick.
The goalkeeper will also not be punished with a yellow card, as the changed law says, "There is no disciplinary action unless the goalkeeper repeatedly commits the offence".
