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8-second rule at FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Explained: Why was Ulsan awarded a corner against Mamelodi Sundowns?
South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns opened its FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign with a 1-0 win over South Korea's Ulsan FC on Tuesday.
Iqraam Rayners scored in the 36th minute which was enough for the South African side to clinch all three points in the Group F match.
During the match, the new eight-second rule for goalkeepers was seen being implemented. In the 83rd minute, the Sundowns 'keeper Ronwen Williams was deemed to have held the ball for longer than the prescribed eight seconds.
¡LA REGLA DE LOS 8 SEGUNDOS SE APLICA POR PRIMERA VEZ EN EL MUNDIAL DE CLUBES! ⏱️
El portero tardó en sacar y Turpin, siguiendo el reglamento, lo sancionó con córner en contra 👀@FIFACWC | Todos los partidos gratis en — DAZN Fútbol (@DAZNFutbol) June 18, 2025
This saw the on-field referee, Clement Turpin, award a corner to Ulsan.
What is the new 8-second rule for goalkeepers?
In a move to prevent time wasting, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) announced a new rule which would see goalkeepers who hold onto the ball for longer than eight seconds concede a corner.
On-field referees will be aided in their decision-making by a visual five-second countdown.
What was the previous law?
Law 12.2 states that a goalkeeper has six seconds to release the ball before the opposing team is awarded an indirect free-kick but this has now been amended and the change will come into force next season.
The new rule is said to implemented worldwide from July 1 onwards but the same is being applied to the revamped FIFA Club World Cup being held in the United States of America.
What are the other new rules at FIFA Club World Cup 2025?
ALSO READ | What's new at FIFA Club World Cup 2025? Innovations and rule changes explained
Along with the eight-second goalkeeper rule, the other new directives include referees wearing body cameras, advanced semi-automated offside, ruling around a double touch penalty kick, and others.
