CAST this week attended a webinar covering changes in the rules for the 2025/26 season.

Adam Gale-Watts (Technical Director of the Professional Game Management Organisation) gave a presentation on what we might find different when the season kicks off.

8 second rule for goalkeepers

If a goalkeeper fails to release the ball within eight seconds of it coming into his control the referee will award a corner.

Being in control of the ball covers having it in the hands, holding it in one hand, bouncing it, throwing it in the air and lying on it on the ground. The ref will make a judgement about when the goalkeeper has the opportunity to release the ball and will then begin the countdown. After three seconds the countdown will be out loud. The ref will award a corner if the ball isn't released in time. A second corner will be awarded for a second offence and a third offence will lead to a corner and a yellow card. A fourth offence to a corner and a second yellow. If an attacker blocks release an indirect free kick will be awarded.

However, Adam said he thought it very unlikely that we would see more corners as, when the practice was trialled, it very soon led to quicker release.

Drop ball restart

If play is stopped (eg for an injury) in the penalty area the drop ball will always be awarded to the goalkeeper. However, outside the area it will be dropped to the team in possession or (which is new) the team "who would have likely gained possession."

Double touch penalties

As we saw in the Women's Euros an inadvertent double touch when taking a penalty will result in a retake if the penalty is scored. If it is missed, an indirect free kick to the defending team will be awarded. If a double touch is deliberate a goal will be disallowed and an indirect free kick awarded. Previously, any double touch meant the goal was disallowed.

Head injuries

If the referee stops the game because of a possible head injury s/he will immediately signal for the physio to come on to make an assessment. The player will then have to leave the pitch for thirty seconds. Once the game has been stopped the player cannot choose not to be assessed by his team's medical staff. This doesn't apply to goalkeepers.

Captains Only

Only the captain should approach the referee. Other players should not approach the referee, particularly if they are remonstrating against a decision. The captain can question a decision and the referee will explain it to him /her and will then expect the captain to explain it to the other players and persuade them to accept it.

Adam stressed that this did not mean informal contact with the referee should cease as this sort of spontaneous communication is what maintains rapport between players and officials. However, if players dispute a decision they must leave it to their captain to raise it with the referee. It also doesn't mean that, just because you are captain, you can say what you like to the officials.

Handball and Holding

No change in the rules but the general message seems to be less is more. Holding should be penalised if it is "clear and impactful" or "extreme non-footballing action" - i.e away from the ball.

For handball the hand / arm position should be judged in relation to the body movement. Sometimes the arm might be away from the body because, for example, the player is jumping or stooping.  Players shouldn't be expected to play with their hands behind their back. If a player plays the ball onto his/her own arm it shouldn't be penalised. Handball should be given if there is a clear additional movement which makes the body bigger.