England caught out by brand-new FIFA rule within five minutes of Panama clash

England were caught out by a rarely-seen new FIFA rule at the World Cup on Saturday, minutes into their clash with Panama.

The Three Lions saw one of their throw-ins overturned for time-wasting in the opening stages of the Group L game.

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Bukayo Saka had picked up the ball to take the throw-in, but as Jarrell Quansah came over to take it instead, things took too long.

Saka rolled the ball to Quansah to let him throw it in, however, as he did that, the referee blew his whistle.

The official overturned the throw-in, awarding it to Panama instead of England, enforcing a new FIFA rule.

At the 2026 World Cup, the time-wasting rule was brought in as one of many rule changes for the tournament.

Players now have a five-second limit to take one, with the count not starting until the player picks up the ball.

The referee has the authority to then decide whether they think the player is deliberately halting play.

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