FAM to implement new football rules in second round of season

The 2025 TNM Super League kicks off on Saturday with league leaders Mighty Wanderers facing Mafco and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets taking on Chitipa United. Along with the new season comes the implementation of updated rules introduced by the International Football Association Board regarding the Laws of the Game.

Nothing frustrates fans more than seeing their team penalized for something they weren’t aware of. To address this, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has informed all Super League teams about four new rules that will be implemented this season.

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Captain Only Rule for Approaching Referees

A new “Captain Only” law allows referees to restrict player interactions during matches. When this rule is invoked, only one designated player from each team may approach the referee to discuss decisions. While players and referees can still engage with each other, this measure reinforces the Participant Behaviour Charter introduced in 2023.

If a team’s captain is playing as goalkeeper, the referee must be informed during the coin toss which outfield player will serve as the designated representative for engaging with match officials.

Goalkeeper Eight-Second Rule

This new rule aims to reduce time-wasting while raising the threshold for yellow cards shown to goalkeepers. Goalkeepers may only control the ball with their hands or arms inside the penalty area for a maximum of eight seconds.

Control is defined as:

• Holding the ball in hands or arms
• Ball held between any surface and the goalkeeper
• Holding the ball on outstretched open hand(s)
• Bouncing the ball on the ground
• Throwing the ball in the air

Referees determine when a goalkeeper gains control and begin the eight-second countdown. During the final five seconds, officials will raise their hand as a visual signal to the player.

Penalties for violations:

• If an opposing player prevents or pressures the goalkeeper from releasing the ball, an indirect free-kick is awarded to the goalkeeper’s team
• If the goalkeeper exceeds eight seconds, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team (taken from the side of the field closest to where the goalkeeper was positioned)
• Second offense: Additional warning
• Third offense: Yellow card

Double-Touch Penalties

Following Julián Alvarez’s penalty controversy in the Champions League last season, new rules address double-touches during penalty kicks:

• Accidental double-touch: The penalty must be retaken regardless of the result
• Deliberate double-touch: Direct free-kick awarded to the defending team

Inadvertent Interference

The new rule addresses unintentional interference by non-playing personnel:

“If, without intending to interfere with play unfairly, a team official, substitute, substituted or sent-off player, or a player temporarily off the field (due to injury, equipment adjustment, etc.) touches the ball while it is still in play but clearly leaving the field, this is penalized with an indirect free-kick with no additional sanction.”

However, any clear, deliberate, and impactful interference will result in a direct free-kick or penalty kick, along with a red card if committed by a manager, head coach, or other technical staff.

Drop Ball Restarts

The procedure for drop ball situations has been clarified:

• Inside the penalty area: Dropped ball goes to the goalkeeper to restart play
• Outside the penalty area: Dropped ball goes to the team that had or would have gained possession at the stopping point

These rule changes reflect FIFA’s ongoing efforts to improve game flow and reduce controversial decisions that can affect match outcomes.