The way penalties work in football may soon undergo a dramatic transformation. According to The Times (London) and The Sun, a proposal under discussion by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) could see penalty rebounds being completely removed from the game.
If this rule comes into effect, strikers will no longer be allowed to attempt a follow-up shot after a penalty is saved or strikes the woodwork. Instead, once the penalty is taken, the outcome—goal or no goal—will be final. Play will resume with a goal kick if the ball doesn’t go in.
The idea is gathering support from key figures in the sport, including top FIFA officials and senior refereeing voices. The logic behind the proposal is simple: Penalties already offer a high chance of scoring, and rebound goals often feel like double punishment for defenders. Removing rebounds would also reduce confusion around encroachment and bring more clarity to the process.
Notably, this system already exists during penalty shootouts in knockout matches, where only the initial kick counts. IFAB is now considering applying the same rule to penalties during open play.
Pierluigi Collina, a former top referee and now a leading figure in global officiating, has reportedly backed the idea. He believes the current system unfairly favours attackers, especially given how many penalties are already converted. Critics of the current rule argue that teams shouldn’t get more than one clear scoring chance from a single foul.
“Seventy-five percent of penalties are already scored and to allow rebounds gives even more advantage to the attacker.” Collina said in an interview with La Repubblica
While the change may seem drastic, IFAB has shown greater willingness to modernise rules in recent years. The proposal could be reviewed at IFAB’s annual meetings later this year, with potential implementation before the 2026 World Cup.
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