Football rule makers, International Football Association Board (IFAB), have voted unanimously with a new regulation for next season in favour of amending Law 12.2.
The amendment gives goalkeepers a serious reason to reconsider time-wasting tactics; If the goalkeeper holds the ball for more than 8 seconds, the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team. On-field referees will be aided in their decision-making by a visual five-second countdown.
This amendment will be in effect for the 2025/26 Premier League season onwards, alongside all international and continental competitions.
The rule change is the first of its kind since Law 12.2 was first introduced in 1998. Previously, it stated that a goalkeeper has six seconds to release the ball before the opposing team is awarded an indirect free-kick – this, however, was very rarely enforced.
The 2024/25 campaign has reignited concerns over teams excessively retaining possession, with Arsenal emerging as a key player in mastering the dark arts.
However, the IFAB has now sanctioned a rule change set to take effect next season, which could significantly alter how teams approach restarts.
Previously, if a goalkeeper held onto the ball for too long – a timeframe not very regularly enforced – they would receive a yellow card and, in some cases, give away an indirect free-kick. But now, the consequences hold a lot more jeopardy.
Meanwhile, reaction to this news has been very mixed, but there is an agreement among viewers that the sport will be changed forever off the back of the significant alteration.
“What is this nonsense?” One X user remarked. Another added: “Our beautiful football is gone”, while a third said: “This will be so interesting.”
Other opinions include those from Mohammed L.: “This is one of the best decisions by the referring board. On many occasions, goalkeepers waste most of their time on the field. Especially when their team is leading.”
ColGoutamKar stated: “Long overdue change and forward looking change. This will also increase playing time.”
[3/3, 5:55 PM] Kenny: NSC Secures Special Scholarship Partnership For Nigerian Athletes With Hungarian University
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has secured a special scholarship partnership with the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) to provide academic opportunities for Nigerian athletes.
This agreement was finalized during a strategic engagement meeting at the NSC headquarters in Abuja between NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade, Deputy Ambassador of Hungary to Nigeria Kristof Korosi and Director of Sports at MATE Lakner Zoltan.
As part of the collaboration which was brokered by the Hungarian Embassy, MATE will offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and certificate programs, specifically designed to accommodate athletes’ schedules, ensuring they can pursue higher education while continuing their training and competitive commitments.
Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko emphasized that this initiative aligns with the NSC’s school sports development programs and the broader Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE)
“This partnership is a game-changer for Nigerian sports. It ensures that our athletes not only excel in their sporting careers but also secure a strong academic foundation for life beyond sports”, he stated.
The Hungarian government has already signed a scholarship agreement with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offering 100 scholarships to Nigerian students annually. This new NSC-MATE partnership provides additional opportunities of a minimum of 30 scholarships annually specifically for Nigerian athletes, reinforcing Hungary’s commitment to supporting Nigerian youth.
NSC Director-General Hon. Olopade highlighted that education remains a crucial pillar in the Commission’s efforts to develop young athletes.
Hungary has long been a welcoming destination for Nigerians, with a thriving Nigerian community. During the Ukraine crisis, Hungary played a key role in absorbing displaced Nigerian students, further demonstrating its strong ties with Nigeria.
Deputy Ambassador Kristof Korosi reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to fostering educational and sports exchanges, emphasizing that this initiative will provide Nigerian athletes with access to world-class academic and sports facilities.
This partnership complements the NSC’s school sports initiatives, ensuring that talented Nigerian athletes can develop academically and professionally while competing at the highest levels.
The meeting agreed a clear roadmap for the conclusion and activation of the scholarships accordingly among other projects of mutual interest.#
