New Rule to Combat Time-Wasting
Top English football leagues are set to trial new measures aimed at addressing goalkeeper tactical timeouts in the upcoming season. Key stakeholders, including the Premier League, EFL, FA, National League, WSL, and Pro Ref, have agreed to the trial after receiving permission from the International Football Association Board (IFAB). This initiative seeks to prevent goalkeepers from allegedly feigning injury to waste time and allow their managers to regroup or provide tactical instructions.
Under the new trial, if a referee signals for a physio to treat a goalkeeper, the team’s coach will have 10 seconds to select an outfield player to leave the pitch for one minute. If no player is chosen within this timeframe, the team captain will be required to leave the field. The nominated player must remain off the field for a minimum of one minute after play restarts. The primary goal is to ensure that genuine injuries receive proper medical attention while eliminating any potential sporting advantage gained from such stoppages.
This measure is intended to close a loophole where goalkeepers could receive treatment on the field without their team being temporarily disadvantaged, unlike outfield players who must leave the pitch for a minute after on-field treatment. The trial could be implemented as early as the Carabao Cup preliminary round.
Addressing Past Incidents and Exceptions
The issue of goalkeepers appearing to take tactical timeouts has been a topic of discussion in recent seasons. For instance, in November, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury during a Premier League match to disrupt play and allow his manager, Pep Guardiola, to speak with players. Farke publicly questioned the fairness of such actions, stating that while it might be within the rules, it goes against the spirit of fair play. The match ultimately concluded with Manchester City winning 3-2.
Similarly, in December, Gary Neville suggested that Newcastle’s Aaron Ramsdale went down against Manchester United following an instruction from Lewis Hall, which reportedly originated from Magpies boss Eddie Howe. This incident occurred in the eighth minute of the game, with Luke Shaw waiting to take a throw-in for United. Manchester United had taken the lead earlier in that match, which finished 1-0.
In March, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler also criticised David Raya for what appeared to be a tactical timeout. These instances highlight the growing concern among managers and pundits regarding the use of goalkeeper stoppages for tactical advantages.
There will be specific exceptions to the new rule where an outfield player will not be removed. These include situations where the goalkeeper has been fouled, has collided with another player, is visibly bleeding, or has suffered a serious injury, such as a concussion. If the goalkeeper waves away the physio, no outfield player will be removed either. The aim is to distinguish between genuine medical emergencies and tactical delays.
Implementation and Future Prospects
The English football authorities, including Pro Ref, discussed both the nominated-player option and an alternative where the captain always leaves the field, before deciding on the nominated-player approach. This version will be used across the Premier League, EFL, FA competitions, the National League, and the Women’s Super League. Other leagues, such as Australia’s A-League, will test the version where the captain always leaves the field.
The trial will be monitored throughout the season by English football bodies, IFAB, and other stakeholders to assess its effectiveness in maintaining game flow and player welfare. IFAB had indicated its intention to address tactical timeouts at its annual general meeting in February, but trials were not approved until after the World Cup. During the World Cup, FIFA’s refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina instructed officials to prevent players from going to the technical area during treatment stoppages.
The professional game will also implement a 10-second time limit for players leaving the pitch when substituted, starting from the first whistle of the forthcoming campaign in the Carabao Cup on Saturday, August 1. If the trials prove successful, the measure could be formally added to the game’s laws in time for the 2027-28 season.
The first Premier League fixture where this rule could apply, pending IFAB approval, is Arsenal’s top-flight opener against newly promoted Coventry City on Friday, August 21.
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Source: skysports.com
