Keith Hackett reacts to update on ‘blatant’ issue aimed at Martinez and Pickford
Keith Hackett has praised the decision to amend a law to put an end to goalkeepers time wasting.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that he was glad to see the International Football Association Board (IFAB) take action to stop “blatant time wasting tactics”.
The issue of time wasting has been a contentious one in the Premier League, with Mikel Arteta often bemoaning Arsenal’s punishments for wasting time.
Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton, and Leandro Trossard was shown a red card against Man City, as both players kicked the ball away when a free-kick was awarded against the Gunners, delaying the restart of play.
However, while referees are often quick to punish outfield players, the issue of goalkeepers taking liberties with how quickly they get the game going again, is rarely dealt with by match officials.
Goalkeeping law changed by IFAB to put an end to time wasting tactics
The IFAB has unanimously decided to amend Law 12.2 (Indirect free kick). The amendment means that if a goalkeeper holds the ball for longer than eight seconds (with the referee using a visual five-second countdown), the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team (rather than the current indirect free kick for more than six seconds).
When asked by Football Insider for his take on the new law amendment, ex-PGMOL chief, Hackett, said:
“I am glad that the International Football Association Board is taking action to stop the blatant time wasting tactics by goalkeepers who have constantly ignored the previous six-second law that in the last two years I have not witnessed one referee sanction.”
Emi Martinez and Jordan Pickford are often highlighted as the game’s biggest offenders when it comes to time wasting, and the Argentinean goalkeeper was shown a yellow card during their match against Lille.
The Everton goalkeeper drew the ire of ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp especially, with the German saying “each ball Pickford has he takes five minutes”, however, with the new ruling from IFAB, those delays in game will now result in a corner kick for the opposition.
Premier League fans will hope new rules spur referees into action
The biggest issue when it comes to goalkeepers wasting time is more to do with the enforcement of the rules, rather than the rule itself.
Most football fans are keenly aware there is a limitation on how long a keeper can hold onto the ball, as are the referees and players themselves.
However, in recent years it seems that time wasting is just a part of the game, something players like Pickford and Martinez have taken advantage of.
Whilst the new rulings are promising, there will likely be a degree of hesitancy to see how strictly enforced they are.
Previously, IFAB had reminded referees only captains were allowed to approach them, and as a result Mario Lemina was sent off for Wolves, in a rule that seemed to only last for a matter of weeks, as players continue to crowd the referee to voice their dismay at their decisions.