Barca Crowned in a 5-0 Masterclass as a Referee Sparks a Rule Debate
8 January 2026
Barca Thrashes Bilbao 5-0 in a Saudi Cup Semi-Final, Sparking Rule Debate
Barcelona routed Athletic Bilbao 5-0 in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final held in Saudi Arabia, clinching a place in the final.
The match was broadcast exclusively on the Eight app, the Saudi rights holder.
In the 15th minute, with the score at 0-0, Unai Simón, Bilbao’s goalkeeper, held the ball for about twenty seconds before any whistle, as a new rule update loomed on the horizon.
Rule Update and Key Moments
That moment came after 2024/25 experiments with Law 12 aimed at curbing time spent on the ball by goalkeepers.
The updated rule states that holding the ball for more than eight seconds results in a corner for the opposing team.
IFAB described the change as part of a broader push to speed up play and reduce time-wasting, though enforcing it remains a topic of conversation among officials and fans alike.
Barcelona pressed relentlessly and added five unanswered goals, as Bilbao’s defense eventually buckled under the pressure.
The incident has reignited a debate about refereeing, technology, and whether such changes can be applied consistently across the rhythm of modern football.
Fans are left wondering whether a clock could ever replace the whistle, or whether the sport thrives on moments of human chaos on the pitch.
Barca’s advancement to the final is clear, and the eight-second rule now sits under the spotlight as it enters real-world competition discourse.
Punchlines: If referees forget the rule, they’re basically gifting extra drama to the crowd. And maybe the next update should include a “watch” function for the bench—because time flies when you’re defending a lead.
