Ex German referee welcomes new rule to combat keepers time wasting

Former top German referee Lutz Wagner believes the new rule punishing goalkeepers for timewasting with a corner will be good for the game, reported dpa.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which decides the rules, is bringing in the new regulation at the Club World Cup in June. Goalkeepers must now release the ball in 8 seconds not 6 and now risk giving away a corner rather than an indirect free-kick.

"Until now, the punishment was disproportionately harsh. An indirect free-kick is almost like a penalty. In future, there will be a corner, which I think is a more appropriate punishment," the 61-year-old, who is head referee coach at the German Football Federation, told dpa.

"The 6-second rule has rarely been applied. That could now change if the referee counts down and instead of an indirect free kick, only a corner kick is awarded," added Wagner.