FIFA’S NEW GOALKEEPER RULE BITES RONWEN WILLIAMS AT CLUB WORLD CUP

FIFA recently introduced a stricter enforcement of an existing rule limiting the time a goalkeeper can hold onto the ball. The regulation now states that if a goalkeeper retains possession for more than eight seconds, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick — rather than the traditional indirect free kick.

South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams became the first player penalized under a new FIFA rule during Mamelodi Sundowns’ historic Club World Cup appearance.

• Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams became the first player penalised under FIFA’s new eight-second ball possession rule
• The rule was enforced for the first time during the Club World Cup match against South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai
• Despite the penalty, Sundowns made history as the first African club to win at the prestigious tournament