The Ref Stop

IFAB Law Changes for 2025/26

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The Ref Stop
socal lurker said:
I would also like to see a change that allows the R to convert a GK to a CK for delay instead of giving a caution. GKs would care a lot more about that than a late game caution (which often takes more time off, as refs don’t seem to add that time back on consistently).
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Reverse any restart is a great idea. Giving the opponent the ball is a far greater deterrent than a caution.
Delay your own restart = reverse
Delay your opponents = caution
 
Slippery slope. Even the CK for 8 second violation i think will have unwanted consequences in the future as it sets a precedent for arbitrary punishment. While I think it makes it easier for referees to penalised it, I am hoping once there are far less of it, it will go back IFK from where the offence occurred.

One of the advantages football has (had) over other sports is that its rules/laws were relatively simple compared to others and we are losing that.

What's next, (they all seem like good ideas)
Advance the location of a FK if dissented for it.
Reverse the direction of FK if retaliated against opponent.
Change the caution for diving to a warning so referees don't bottle it.
Corner kick for defending handball in PA if not deliberate
Goal kick if the AR raises flag too early for offside and defenders stop
 
one said:
One of the advantages football has (had) over other sports is that its rules/laws were relatively simple compared to others and we are losing that.
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Not at all. I clearly remember the hodge podge of punishments that were in the Laws prior to the 1997 and 2016 rewrites. A complicated mess of drop balls and IFKs that were a pain to remember. It has all been greatly (and logically) simplified. Plus the constant flicking to the back pages to check the "international decisions" added to the simple Laws: all now conflated into one document. And still MUCH simpler than many sports. Just read the NFL rulebook if you want to see complex.
 
Ganajin said:
Not at all. I clearly remember the hodge podge of punishments that were in the Laws prior to the 1997 and 2016 rewrites. A complicated mess of drop balls and IFKs that were a pain to remember. It has all been greatly (and logically) simplified. Plus the constant flicking to the back pages to check the "international decisions" added to the simple Laws: all now conflated into one document. And still MUCH simpler than many sports. Just read the NFL rulebook if you want to see complex.
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My point realy. How we got to that complicated mess was the direction that this law change is heading.
I understand it's necessity and the 6 second law needs addressing. And I also understand why a corner kick. But this sort of complexity should be something we would want to avoid and have as last resort rather than "here is a good idea, let's put in the laws".
 
The issue with the 8 seconds is when does it start?

When the keeper stands after making a save/catch? When they first gather the ball?
 
one said:
What's next, (they all seem like good ideas)
Advance the location of a FK if dissented for it.
Reverse the direction of FK if retaliated against opponent.
Change the caution for diving to a warning so referees don't bottle it.
Corner kick for defending handball in PA if not deliberate
Goal kick if the AR raises flag too early for offside and defenders stop
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None of these seem like good ideas tbh (no offence btw, I just wouldn't advocate for any of these changes).
 
OnlyUseMeWhistle said:
The issue with the 8 seconds is when does it start?

When the keeper stands after making a save/catch? When they first gather the ball?
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Paraphrasing futsal, when the keeper is ready to release the ball.

If the keeper is messing about (staying on the floor on top of the ball, bouncing the ball outside the FOP after fetching...) start the visual count and trust me, they will be 'ready' very quickickly. 🤣
 
JamesL said:
None of these seem like good ideas tbh (no offence btw, I just wouldn't advocate for any of these changes).
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Agreed. Maybe not to you and I. They are used in other sports though.

Edit: just read the list. Obviously only some used in other sports, the handball one was 'inspred' be some referees who gave IFK for a handball that wasnt deliberate and the flag thing was what i actually saw a referee do once.
 
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socal lurker said:
I’ve never seen a kid take 30 seconds to get rid of the ball . . . This change is aimed at higher levels, as that is where the abuse is
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Exactly. I ref 12 -18 and some adults. Little word, release it quicker mate, tap the watch job done.

Am I going to be enforcing this? Nah. Not necessary.
 
Now will everyone enforce it from when they collect it on the floor or what they get up and are able to play it? Similarly what about when an attacker is stood in front of the gk on the edge of the box?
 
Samuel said:
Now will everyone enforce it from when they collect it on the floor or what they get up and are able to play it? Similarly what about when an attacker is stood in front of the gk on the edge of the box?
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There is no point only counting from when they get up, because then they will just waste more time on the floor.
If an attacker is so close as to prevent a GK releasing then we already have what we need in Law to deal with that.
 
Samuel said:
Now will everyone enforce it from when they collect it on the floor or what they get up and are able to play it? Similarly what about when an attacker is stood in front of the gk on the edge of the box?
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Based on the guided in the post above yours, it should start once they have control. In theory, if they collect it on the floor and they’re in a position where opposition can no longer challenge them, the count should start.

But this is my main concern with this. The interpretation could be very loose
 
Yeah and if a referee starts the count with the keeper on the floor and the ref gets to 3 secs left and the keeper is still not up, will he just claim injury? Might be a situation that needs managing.
 
RefereeX said:
Yeah and if a referee starts the count with the keeper on the floor and the ref gets to 3 secs left and the keeper is still not up, will he just claim injury? Might be a situation that needs managing.
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I am sure that if we believe a GK is seriously injured then we will stop play immediately and following treatment restart with a dropped ball to the GK.

If we are doubtful that the GK is seriously injured, then they have hold of the ball anyway so there is no harm in letting the 8 seconds lapse before stopping play (especially if we start our count immediately as Law states). Participants may challenge this but if we can be consistent will quickly learn that a slight goalkeeper injury does not justify a stoppage in play on its own.
 
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