Ronwen Williams (L) getting instructions from the referee
Ronwen Williams has made an unexpected bit of football history at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, but not for a clean sheet or a heroic save.
The Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa No.1 became the first goalkeeper to be penalised under FIFA’s newly enforced eight-second rule for ball handling.
The incident occurred during Sundowns’ Group F clash against Ulsan Hyundai on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, when Williams held onto the ball for 14 seconds, well over the new eight-second limit introduced by FIFA to discourage time-wasting.
As a result, the referee awarded a corner kick to Ulsan, a first since the new regulation was put into effect.
While the moment sparked confusion on the pitch, it was quickly clarified by officials and broadcast analysts, highlighting FIFA’s shift toward stricter enforcement of time-related infractions in an effort to speed up the game.
Despite the blunder, Williams and Sundowns held their nerve and went on to win the match 1-0, securing a crucial three points and climbing to the top of Group F at the tournament.
The incident didn’t prove costly, but it did leave Williams with a rather unusual claim to fame.
Williams wasn’t the only goalkeeper caught off-guard by the new rule. Yassine Bounou also exceeded the limit during Al Hilal’s 1-1 draw with Real Madrid on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, though his infraction drew less attention and impact.
The new rule, which awards a corner kick to the opposition if a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than eight seconds, replaces the previous six-second guideline, one that was rarely enforced.
FIFA has introduced this change to help reduce time-wasting and keep matches more fluid.
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Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Check with former Hearts of Oak midfielder Frederick Ansah Botchway
