Starting Tuesday, a major rule change affecting goalkeepers will take effect in both Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana matches. CONMEBOL has confirmed that it will enforce a new interpretation of Law 12, designed to curb deliberate time-wasting by goalkeepers.
The change, approved last month by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), limits goalkeepers to holding the ball for no more than eight seconds. If the goalkeeper exceeds this time, the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team as a penalty.
“Based on the positive results of trials conducted in various countries, members have approved a change to Law 12 to address time-wasting by goalkeepers, who will now be restricted to holding the ball for a maximum of eight seconds,” CONMEBOL stated in a circular sent to participating clubs.
This decision takes effect immediately, marking a significant shift in how officials will handle delays and aiming to speed up the flow of the game, particularly during the final moments of tightly contested matches.
