In a dramatic turn of events, the referee gave Real Madrid a corner instead of a penalty, after Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou held the ball for more than eight seconds — a breach of newly updated IFAB rules. FIFA’s ruling is being seen as a strong message to match officials worldwide.
FIFA Takes Action After Officiating Blunder
In the wake of a heated and contentious fixture between Real Madrid and Al-Hilal, FIFA has responded with immediate disciplinary measures. The organization confirmed that the referees involved have been suspended indefinitely after failing to enforce a critical rule concerning time-wasting by the goalkeeper — a mistake that potentially cost Real Madrid a game-defining penalty.
The Incident
Late in the match, Bounou held onto the ball beyond the eight-second limit permitted under Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game. According to an amendment introduced earlier in 2025, such an infraction should lead to either an indirect free kick or a penalty, depending on the circumstances and location of the offense.
However, instead of enforcing this rule, the referee awarded a corner kick to Real Madrid. The decision caused uproar on the field and across social media, with Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso confronting officials in frustration. Fans and analysts alike labeled it a blatant error.
Swift and Rare FIFA Response
In a formal statement, FIFA announced that all officials involved in the match had been sidelined indefinitely while an investigation takes place.
“The decision to award a corner rather than apply the updated IFAB rule was a clear violation,” FIFA’s Refereeing Committee stated. “This oversight warrants serious disciplinary action, and the referees will be removed from future international assignments.”
FIFA reaffirmed that the officials had failed to apply the 2025 amendment, which explicitly outlines penalties for goalkeepers who exceed the eight-second holding rule within the penalty area.
A Warning to Match Officials
FIFA’s Head of Refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, did not mince words. In a strongly worded statement, he said this episode must serve as a wake-up call to referees worldwide.
“This is a reminder to all officials that the integrity of the game is non-negotiable. Mistakes — especially ones that ignore clear rules — will have consequences,” Collina said.
Fans and Clubs React
Supporters across the globe welcomed FIFA’s firm stance, many seeing it as a long-overdue step toward ensuring accountability in football officiating.
“It’s about time referees faced consequences for clear mistakes,” one Real Madrid fan tweeted.
Others echoed the sentiment, saying this case should deter referees from making similar errors or acting with bias in high-stakes matches.
What’s Next?
FIFA announced that the suspended officials will undergo a disciplinary process, and further steps will be taken to improve officiating standards. Plans are also underway to roll out mandatory training sessions on new rule updates — especially ahead of major international tournaments.
Real Madrid has officially filed a protest over the decision, while IFAB is expected to release additional clarification on how the eight-second rule should be enforced in future matches
