Evolving the Game: How New Rules Are Shaping Football’s Future

Football rules have been constantly evolving since its inception in the mid-19th century. Referees were introduced in 1871, corners in 1872, penalties in 1891 and distinct goalkeeper jerseys in 1909. With the game now well-established, why are new rules still introduced?

As an entertainment-driven sport, football aims to minimise unengaging moments. New rules are continually explored to maximise playing time and reduce time-wasting.

The New Goalkeeper Rule

This summer's Club World Cup will introduce an 8-second rule proposed by IFAB. Goalkeepers will be limited to handling the ball for a maximum of eight seconds, with referees providing a visual five-second countdown. The rule is expected to be adopted by other major competitions, including the Premier League next season.

A similar 6-second rule already exists, though it is rarely enforced—one notable exception being Simon Mignolet’s infamous 20-second hold which resulted in an indirect free kick and subsequent goal. The key difference now? Violations will now result in a corner kick. The 2024-25 Premier League season had seen just 21 goals scored from its 758 corners (2.8%) by October, indicating they are less threatening situations than indirect free kicks inside the box.

Trials indicate that the rule has been effective, with goalkeepers quickly adapting. In Malta, across 796 instances, no violations occurred. In Premier League 2, only four instances were recorded across hundreds of matches. IFAB director Patrick Nelson commented:

"Goalkeepers holding on to the ball for too long has been a bane of many people’s lives for quite some time. The results of the trials have been very positive, so we’re moving forward to put this into the laws of the game as soon as possible."

Impact on the Current Game

Only three Premier League goalkeepers—Ederson, Guglielmo Vicario, and Robert Sánchez—hold the ball for less than 8 seconds on average. At the other extreme, Dean Henderson (13.7s), Aaron Ramsdale (15.7s), and Christian Walton (16.4s) significantly exceed the new limit.*

Over half of Premier League teams have goalkeepers who have held the ball for 600+ seconds this season, with Ipswich surpassing 1,000+ seconds. If enforced properly, this rule could dramatically reduce time-wasting, impacting teams lower in the league the most.

Successful Examples of Past Rule Changes

In the past, major rule changes were introduced to enhance entertainment and reduce time-wasting. The back-pass rule was implemented in 1992 following the widely criticised 1990 World Cup, which saw an average of just 2.21 goals per game—the lowest in history.

In 1981, the English Football League adopted the three-points-for-a-win system, which FIFA later implemented in 1995. This change significantly altered how teams approached matches, as winning became far more rewarding.

These rules have had a profound and largely positive impact on the game. But have there been rule changes aimed at improving football that simply never caught on?

Unsuccessful Attempts at Rule Innovation

Most are familiar with the golden goal rule, introduced in 1993, which ended a match immediately if a goal was scored in extra time. In 2002, it was modified into the silver goal, where extra time continued until the end of the period if a goal was scored. Both were scrapped by 2004.

Lesser-known experiments included American-style penalty shootouts, where players dribbled from the halfway line, and kick-ins, trialled in the mid-'90s but never adopted.

These changes aimed to make football more exciting but ultimately failed to catch on.

Future Potential Changes

Arsène Wenger, often regarded as a visionary on the pitch, is now striving to make a similar impact off it. Since leaving Arsenal, he has taken on a new role as FIFA's Chief of Football Development, where he has proposed several rule changes. These include replacing throw-ins with kick-ins (previously an unsuccessful rule), allowing truly inswinging corners, and permitting free-kick takers to play the ball immediately after taking a set piece.

Additionally, he has suggested a major overhaul of the offside rule, where an attacker would be considered onside if any part of their body is level with the last defender. This change, in particular, could significantly alter team tactics, placing greater emphasis on counterattacks and transitions. There is also a worry such a rule would encourage teams to sit back to avoid dangerous situations.

Whether these proposals are implemented remains to be seen, but the ambition behind them is clear.

Final Thoughts

Football has always evolved through rule changes aimed at improving the flow and excitement of the game. From historical adjustments like the introduction of penalties to modern innovations such as the new goalkeeper rule, the sport continues to adapt in pursuit of a more engaging spectacle. While some past experiments failed to take off, the latest changes—designed to reduce time-wasting and encourage more active play—are backed by successful trials. Whether these rules achieve their intended impact remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: football will continue to evolve to keep the game as dynamic and entertaining as possible.

*Handling stats as of 2025/03/04