Sports explained
The five-second restart countdown is a referee signal
The 2026/27 delayed throw-in and goal-kick procedures use visible countdowns, with different consequences for the two restarts.
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The IPTV Europe journal — page 64.
Useful explanations for choosing a plan, setting up a player and understanding the viewing experience.
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Sports explained
Bouncing the ball does not restart the goalkeeper’s eight seconds
The keeper’s hand-control period continues through a bounce; the referee’s final-five countdown helps viewers follow it.
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Why an attacker waits a metre away from a defensive wall
The wall-gap condition concerns a wall of at least three defenders and lasts until the ball is in play.
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A quick free kick can legally be intercepted nearby
Taking a free kick before opponents have fully retreated creates a different situation from an opponent deliberately blocking the restart.
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A corner ball can overhang the arc without sitting wholly inside
The corner-area test allows part of the ball to project over the line; the ground contact point alone can mislead.
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Five substitutions do not mean five stoppage opportunities
Read the substitute allowance separately from the number of opportunities, including the special role of half-time.
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