Soccer goalkeeper with an orange uniform and blue and orange gloves hugging a ball on the grass. — AFA will implement several rules that Conmebol has already adopted | La Derecha Diario

Camara — AFA will implement several rules that Conmebol has already adopted | La Derecha Diario

The AFA will implement the 8-second rule for goalkeepers starting in June.

In the same vein as Conmebol, the entity presided over by Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia announced that there will be regulatory changes, including the 8-second rule

06/04/2025 14:43:00h

Editorial Team

The AFA announced this Friday that the eight-second rule for goalkeepers will begin to apply, along with other rule modifications, in all categories of Argentine soccer.

"These will come into effect on June 1, 2025 and will be implemented on the next date starting after 6/1", as stated in the official bulletin of the national soccer governing body, which will adopt in the coming weeks the changes established by the IFAB for the 2025/26 season.

The image shows a bulletin from the Argentine Football Association numbered 6667, which contains resolutions from the board meeting on April 4, 2025. It mentions a CONMEBOL circular about changes in the rules of the game for 2025-2026, communicated on March 31, 2025. It refers to modifications of the rules of the game by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and indicates that the Spanish versions of the documents are available via a link. Additionally, it specifies that the changes will take effect on June 1, 2025.

AFA's resolution | La Derecha Diario

Thus, goalkeepers will not be able to hold the ball in their hands for more than eight seconds. If they exceed that limit, the opposing team will be awarded a corner kick.

One of the most notable points among the new regulations is related to the continuation of the "Captain's Zone". From June 1, this measure will be implemented in all tournaments where "it hasn't been done yet", due to its "positive effects on player behavior, on the relationship between them and the referees, and on the recruitment and retention of referees".

Other regulatory modifications:

Captain's Zone (already implemented in the First Division): only the captain or, if the goalkeeper wears the armband, a player designated as an adjunct may address the referee.
Drop ball: if the ball is outside the area when the game is stopped, the referee will award a drop ball to the team that had or gained possession, as long as it can be clearly determined; otherwise, the ball will be dropped to the player of the team that last touched it. The restart will be at the exact spot where the ball was when the game was stopped.
Ball in play: if someone not involved in the game (member of the technical staff, substitute, expelled or replaced) touches the ball before it leaves the field, it will be penalized with an indirect free kick. No yellow or red card will be shown if the referee considers there was no intent.
VAR: referees, if deemed appropriate, may communicate to the stadium audience via loudspeaker the decisions made after a VAR review.
VAR and penalties: assistants must position themselves in line with the penalty execution, as the VAR will be responsible for determining possible encroachments or doubtful plays in goals.

➡️ Argentina