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Hi All

As you may have seen there are some interesting rule changes to the Laws of the Game for this coming season. I wanted to send these out so that there is no confusion at our youth games.

The main changes are:

Goalkeepers can now only hold on to the ball for a maximum of 8 seconds, with the referee counting down the last 5 seconds on a raised hand. Infringements are penalised with a corner kick to the opposition. 3 offences in the same game results in a Yellow Card and 6 results in a Red Card.

Penalty double touch – As you may have seen in the Euro’s, if there is an accidental double touch of the ball on a scored penalty, then it will be re-taken. If the penalty is missed then there is no re-take.

Dropped Ball – Wording has been tweaked to make it clear that the team who would have gained possession should receive the uncontested drop ball, rather than the last team to touch the ball.

Captains only rule – This is a new law that prohibits anyone apart from the captain from approaching the referee after an incident. This is designed to protect the referee and to reduce situations where multiple players surround the referee.

I have attached the relevant IFAB publications for these changes FYI.

Please bear with your referees as they try and implement these new rules. The goalkeeper 8 second rule is a big change, alters the required movement patterns and sight lines of a referee, as well as significantly increasing their workload.

Also please remember that if you see a referee with a yellow armband that indicates they are U18 (a minor), please be supportive, understanding and mindful of any communication you may wish to have with them.

Steve VC