Referees announce major crackdown while new 'Vinicius Law' is discussed

New rules aimed at tackling time-wasting will come into force for this summer’s World Cup and could bring an end to the long-throw trend in the Premier League.

The measures, approved by football lawmaker The International Football Association Board (IFAB), will see the introduction of a countdown clock to apply to goal kicks and throw-ins.

If a referee believes a throw-in or goal kick is taking too long or is being deliberately delayed, a five-second visual countdown will begin.

Should the ball not be back in play by the end of the countdown, the throw-in will be awarded to the opposition. In the case of a delayed goal kick, a corner will be given to the opposing side - as has been the case this season when goalkeepers have held on to the ball for too long.

The new rules will take effect on 1 June, ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was the first player penalised this season after holding the ball for more than eight seconds during his side’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur in August, conceding a corner as a result.

The measures could lead to the eradication of the long throw, with the average Premier League match losing 10 minutes and 43 seconds to delays before throw-ins this season - figures recorded prior to this weekend’s fixtures.

Last season, the average delay stood at 8 minutes and 49 seconds.

Some of those delays will have been caused by substitutions, VAR checks and injuries, so they cannot all be attributed to slow throw-ins. That said, the increase suggests this has been the primary factor.

The timer will also apply to substituted players, who must leave the pitch within 10 seconds of the board being raised. Failure to do so will mean the replacement cannot enter the field until after the first stoppage following one minute of normal play.

IFAB has also responded to the racism allegations involving Vinicius Junior and Gianluca Prestianni by announcing plans to develop measures addressing ‘players covering their mouth when confronting opponents during matches’.

The Benfica forward is being investigated by UEFA following allegations that he racially abused the Real Madrid winger during the first leg of their Champions League play-off in Lisbon earlier this month.

The investigation has been complicated by Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt while speaking to Vinicius. The 20-year-old Argentine was handed a one-match suspension for the return leg.

IFAB has also approved further measures to expand the powers of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), including allowing intervention where a yellow card has clearly been shown to the wrong team.

This will also apply to red cards resulting from a clearly incorrect second yellow. In some competitions, VAR may additionally be permitted to review a clearly wrongly awarded corner, provided the check can be completed immediately and without delaying the restart.

IFAB will also conduct trials aimed at curbing ‘tactical timeouts’, particularly those prompted by goalkeepers receiving on-field treatment.