Something that has long being an annoyance of mine and I know other people on here, is finally being addressed.
Namely the reluctance of referees to enforce the six second rule for goalkeepers to release the ball.
Trials are being planned in lower leagues next season, which may lead to a change of the laws by 2026/27.
The main points of the trial are:
*Goalkeepers to be allowed eight seconds to release the ball.
*The referee will raise his hand and count down the final five seconds for everyone to see.
* The penalty if the ball isn’t released in time will be either a throw in level with the penalty area or a corner. Participating leagues can choose which they use but have to stick with one or the other throughout the trial.
* First offence will bring a warning. A second offence, a yellow card and a third offence a second yellow/ red.