The Premier League is gearing up to implement a new rule that could penalise clubs for two common occurrences seen every weekend on the pitch.
In recent years, football's governing bodies, particularly Ifab, have been keen on addressing the issue of goalkeepers employing delay tactics.
Now, reports from The Sun suggest that the Premier League is focusing on another aspect: teams instructing ball kids to slow down the game when they are leading.
A panel is reportedly exploring potential sanctions for teams that delay returning the ball to the opposing side promptly.
This move comes amid concerns from Premier League authorities about the resurgence of time-wasting tactics in matches.
Notably, the infamous incident involving former Chelsea player Eden Hazard and Swansea ball boy Charlie Morgan in the 2013 League Cup semi-final brought attention to this issue, leading to warnings issued to clubs regarding time-wasting behaviours.
Additionally, there are proposals to introduce an eight-second rule to prevent goalkeepers from holding onto the ball for too long. This trial could potentially be implemented in the Football League starting from the next season.
The current six-second rule, seldom enforced, may be extended to eight seconds. Referees might also be instructed to visually signal and count down when a goalkeeper has five seconds remaining.
Failure to release the ball within the stipulated time could result in conceding a throw-in or corner kick.
In a curious twist of fate, the ball boy involved in the Hazard incident has since become a multimillionaire.
Earlier this year, there was even a reunion between the two figures, highlighting the enduring legacy of that contentious moment on the football pitch.
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