Focus on referees: New rules for a faster football season!

Focus on referees: New rules for a faster football season!

The new football season brings a breath of fresh air into the world of rules. From July 1, 2025, significant changes will take effect that will significantly impact the way the game is run. The SHFV-Kiel reports that the referees are preparing intensively for these changes and have already gone through important details in training.

One of the most striking innovations concerns the time game. In the future, the referees will show the last five seconds with their hand above their head. This sends a clear signal to minimize time wasting and to punish violations consistently. But how this new approach will affect match practice remains to be seen: will we perhaps even be able to enjoy more corner kicks or faster clearances from the goalkeepers?

New rules for referees and players

Another aspect is the regulation for the goalkeepers: They are now allowed to control the ball with their hands for eight seconds instead of just six. This rule change is important not only for the shooters, but also for the goalkeepers themselves, as they will be able to organize themselves better over time. If time is exceeded, the opposing team will receive a corner kick, which could well change the dynamics of the game.

Another exciting point is the “referee ball”. In the future, this will always be carried out at the point where the ball was last. This decision gives the advantage to the team that was in possession of the ball or last touched the ball. In addition, the handling of unintentional ball contact by the coach or substitute has been clarified: here there is only an indirect free kick, no longer a personal penalty. An important detail that sparked a lot of discussion last season.

The changes aim to make games fairer and smoother. An example: interference with the goalkeeper by attackers leads to indirect free kicks for the goalkeeper. This could have a noticeable impact on the game and promote assertiveness on the field. The administrative penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct has also been downgraded, giving referees more flexibility in making decisions.

Health of the rules in focus

The referees' course also promoted a direct exchange between active referees and the SHFV observers. Michael Mond, the teaching supervisor, played an important role and highlighted the preparation of the referees as positive. At the same time, communication was improved, which was one of the key focuses to increase consistency in assessment. The presence of observers and their ongoing training are fundamental measures to give referees a good hand for the new season.

In summary, it can be said that with these rule changes the DFB is taking a step towards modern and transparent football. To get a detailed overview of all the changes, it's worth taking a look at a YouTube video that provides an overview of the new regulations so that every fan can start the new football year well informed. The anticipation for the coming season is increasing!