Time Wasting & Delaying Restarts

Deliberately wasting time is a cautionable offence. Referees use several tools including the 5-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks, added time, and yellow cards to combat time wasting.

The full rule

Time wasting takes many forms: slow goal kicks, slow throw-ins, goalkeepers holding the ball too long, players taking excessive time over dead balls, feigning injury, slow substitutions. The 2026/27 laws introduced the 5-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks specifically to address this. Referees are also instructed to add precise time for all stoppages including substitutions, goal celebrations, injuries, and VAR checks. A player who deliberately wastes time — beyond the specific 5-second rule — can be cautioned for delaying the restart of play. This includes a goalkeeper who holds the ball beyond 6 seconds or a player who kicks the ball away after a decision.

Key points

✓5-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks — new for 2026
✓Deliberate time wasting results in a yellow card
✓Referees add precise time for all stoppages — substitutions, goals, injuries, VAR
✓Kicking the ball away after a decision is time wasting — yellow card
✓Goalkeepers holding ball over 6 seconds is time wasting — indirect free kick
✓Feigning injury to waste time is both simulation and time wasting

Scenarios

Scenario 1

Player kicks ball away after a foul is given against them

Foul

After a foul is awarded against a player, they kick the ball away to delay the restart.

Correct call: Yellow card for delaying the restart of play. This is one of the clearest forms of time wasting.

Common mistake: Only giving a verbal warning. Kicking the ball away is a deliberate act that must be cautioned.

Scenario 2

Winning team takes 30 seconds over every throw-in

Foul

In the final 15 minutes, a winning team consistently takes 20-30 seconds over every throw-in.

Correct call: Referee uses the 5-second countdown under the 2026/27 rules. If the throw-in is not taken within 5 seconds of the countdown starting, it is awarded to the opponents.

Common mistake: Only showing a yellow card. The 5-second rule provides an immediate, more effective deterrent — possession is lost rather than just a caution.