The rule changes will apply to all competitions held under the auspices of the EJL from 01.07.2025

Rule 5 – Referee

Counting the last 5 seconds of the 8-second rule while the goalkeeper is in possession of the ball.

If the goalkeeper controls the ball with his hands, the referee will audibly count, with a hand signal, the last 5 seconds of the 8-second time limit.

The referee will start counting when the goalkeeper has full control of the ball and the opposing team is not putting any pressure on the goalkeeper.

If, during the last 5 seconds, the goalkeeper is pressing or preventing the ball from being played, a free kick will be awarded to the goalkeeper's team.

Law 12 – Fouls and disciplinary sanctions

Corner kick

A corner kick is awarded when the goalkeeper controls the ball with his hands in his penalty area for more than eight seconds before releasing it.

Law 8 – Starting and restarting play

Judgment ball

If play is stopped and:

the ball was in the penalty area, the referee’s ball is dropped to the defending team’s goalkeeper in his penalty area;

the ball was outside the penalty area, the referee’s ball is awarded to the team that had or should have had the ball – if the referee can determine this; if not, to the team that last touched the ball.

The referee’s ball is dropped on the field of play at the place where it was when play was stopped.

Law 9 - Ball in play and

out of play

Ball in play

If the ball is still in play but is clearly about to go out of play, and

a team official, a substitute, a substituted or sent-off player, or a player temporarily on the sidelines (e.g. due to injury or equipment maintenance) touches the ball without intending to unfairly

interfere with play, a free kick is awarded; no disciplinary action is taken.

Law 11 - Lockout

Breach of lockout

When determining lockout, the first contact of the ball being played or

touched shall be taken into account;

in the case of a throw-in by the goalkeeper, the last contact shall be taken into account.

Rule 12 – Fouls and Disciplinary Sanctions

Free Kick

The six-second rule has been removed from the “Free Kick” section of Rule 12

Rules 10 & 14 – Explanation of Double Touch

From now on, a distinction is made between intentional and accidental double touches when taking a penalty kick.

For example, deliberately kicking the ball with both feet, kicking a ball that has bounced off the post before it has touched another player, is considered intentional. This could include all ways in which the penalty kicker’s forward kick is followed by a second touch of the ball that is neither accidental nor immediate.

Accidental is the opposite of intentional and is related to an accidental touch, which is expressed in an immediate second touch of the ball. Examples include kicking the ball with the supporting leg or hitting the ball against the supporting leg or touching the ball with both feet after slipping.

Actions after an accidental double touch are linked to the outcome of the kick.

If the ball goes into the goal, a new penalty is awarded (the goal cannot be counted as the

double touch may have had an influence on the goalkeeper and would therefore be unfair).

If the ball does not go into the goal, a free kick is awarded to the defending team (or, if possible, a penalty kick is played for the defending team). In a penalty shootout, the

kick is considered to have been missed.

In the event of a deliberate double touch, a free kick is awarded immediately (or, if possible, a penalty kick is played for the defending team).