The new Premier League match ball sparks goalkeeper backlash. Premier league goaltenders have expressed serious worries about the league’s new official match ball (for 2025/26) with a few goaltenders already comparing it to the 2010 World Cup Jabulani ball (as highly criticized for its unpredictable flight and weightlessness).
Erratic Flight Path Blamed for Early Season Errors
The ball has already caused threat errors for top-level goaltenders the opening weekend. Goaltenders seem to be struggling with how it acts, some likening it to a “beach ball” and also expressing concern about the amount of errors it may create going forward in the season.
One keeper noted that in the air, the ball acts strange and in foul weather conditions, it is almost impossible to judge crosses and shots. A lot of nervous keepers. Some saying it is even a throw on the practicality of the design to eating the marketing.
Unwelcome Echoes of the Infamous Jabulani Controversy
The same criticism was lodged against the Jabulani. Adidas made it and faced criticism in the same way at the 2010 World Cup as being too unpredictable. However, not in the way Puma intended it to be unpredictable.
Once again, goalkeepers are worried this ball is going to affect the results. This will happen particularly with regard to matches played in the Jesper (windy/rainy) conditions.
Puma has not provided any form of conclusion to the complaints. The ball is under the use of various other top European leagues like La Liga and Serie A. But we don’t know if goalies in those leagues felt the same about the ball.
Pressure Mounts Amidst Silence and New Rule Changes
The complaint about the ball is happening. However, all goalkeepers are having to contend with adapting to the other major change. Moreover, the implementation of new eight-second rule for non-even-weather conditions to eliminate time wasting is also bothering. The eight second rule is simple. If a goalie holds the ball for more than eight seconds, they concede a corner kick from the exact location where they held the ball.
It is going to be interesting if as the season continues goalkeepers will adapt to the new ball or whether the flaws they perceive in it will continue to dictate their decisions in goal. Certainly, the elite goalkeepers in the Premier League, do not want a ball design that can sway how they want to play. Moreover, nor would they get competitive impact with those results.
As featured on ManCityNews.com
