IFAB Mulls Countdown Timer for Throw-Ins After Brentford’s Time-Wasting Tactics vs Liverpool
Keith Andrews’ Brentford secured a thrilling 3–2 win over Premier League champions Liverpool last weekend, but the victory has sparked debate over growing concerns about time-wasting in football.
Throughout the match, Brentford were accused of deliberately slowing play, taking an average of 55.8 seconds per throw-in — a tactic that consumed more than nine minutes in total and has prompted football’s rule-makers to consider intervention.
Brentford made a fast start, with Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade scoring in the 5th and 45th minutes, respectively. Milos Kerkez pulled one back for Liverpool before halftime, but Igor Thiago’s penalty restored the hosts’ cushion in the second half. Mohamed Salah netted deep into stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Liverpool’s defeat.
Despite Liverpool’s dominance on paper, Brentford’s tactical use of long throw-ins and deliberate pauses effectively disrupted the rhythm of the game — a strategy that could soon face regulation.
IFAB Considering New Rule to Curb Time-Wasting
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is reviewing potential rule changes to address deliberate delays, including a countdown timer for throw-ins.
A similar rule was introduced earlier this season for goalkeepers, limiting them to eight seconds of ball possession. Referees now count down the final five seconds with hand signals, and violations result in a corner kick for the opposing team.
The rule was notably enforced when Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher conceded a late corner after holding the ball for 13 seconds — though Liverpool failed to take advantage.
During a recent virtual IFAB meeting, officials discussed extending these time restrictions to throw-ins, potentially punishing teams that excessively delay restarts.
The rise of direct and physical tactics in the Premier League — including long throws and set-piece routines — has contributed to reduced playing time. Data from the 2025/26 season shows that long throw-ins have more than doubled, from 1.52 per game last season to 3.44, while ball-in-play time has fallen by over two minutes.
The proposed adjustments will be revisited at IFAB’s annual business meeting in London in January. The advisory panel has also supported a VAR update allowing referees to overturn a second yellow card if it was shown in error
