Premier League rule change plan revealed during Man City vs Manchester United

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has hinted that a controversial goalkeeper rule could be about to change next season.

Supporters are often irked by the amount of time a goalkeeper takes to play the ball at goal kicks or when they have it in their hands. Currently, 'keepers are meant to have possession of the ball in their hands or when it is dead, for no longer than six seconds before playing it.

However, this is often flaunted by shot-stoppers who are attempting to slow the play down or choosing to time waste. Manchester United's Andre Onana was arguably guilty of this during the first half at the Etihad Stadium with his team leading thanks to a Marcus Rashford stunner.

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With Manchester City fans annoyed by how long the Cameroonian was taking, Dean appeared to confirm a rule change for next season. "I think they are going to up it next year to eight seconds, but I can't remember the last time a referee pulled a goalkeeper up for it," he explained on Sky Sports.

"With the goal kicks, the time starts when the ball is placed on the floor anyway. They will keep doing it until the referee tells them otherwise."

If a 'keeper is deemed to have wasted too much time by the referee, the current laws of the game allow for the player to be booked by the match official. Should a goalkeeper not be 'time-wasting' but has held onto the ball for too long, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposition with no booking issued.