New Measures for Goalkeeper Injuries
English football is set to trial new measures aimed at addressing instances of tactical timeouts by goalkeepers. This initiative, agreed upon by key stakeholders including the Premier League, EFL, FA, National League, WSL, and Pro Ref, has received approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) for implementation in the upcoming 2026-27 season. The primary goal is to maintain the pace and flow of matches while ensuring genuine injuries receive appropriate medical attention.
The new trial focuses on situations where a goalkeeper requires treatment during a stoppage in play. If the referee signals for a physio to enter the pitch, the coach will have 10 seconds to select an outfield player to leave the field for a minimum of one minute after the restart of play. Should no player be nominated within the allotted time, the team captain will be required to leave the field instead. This rule is designed to deter goalkeepers from allegedly feigning injury to waste time or allow managers to regroup and provide tactical instructions.
The trial will be applied across the men’s and women’s professional game in England, with the exception of the men’s game below National League Step 2. The intention is to remove any potential sporting advantage that might be gained from such stoppages, thereby supporting game flow. English football authorities, in collaboration with IFAB and other stakeholders, will continuously monitor the effectiveness of these measures throughout the season.
Addressing Tactical Stoppages
Discussions among football organisations have centred on how to eliminate the issue of goalkeepers using injury stoppages for tactical purposes. The agreed-upon solution involves the temporary removal of an outfield player. This approach aims to ensure that while player welfare remains a priority, the integrity of the game’s momentum is also preserved.
There are specific exceptions to this new rule. These include situations where a free kick is awarded for a foul on the goalkeeper and immediate treatment is needed, when a goalkeeper and an outfield player collide and both require attention, or if the goalkeeper is bleeding. These exceptions are in place to distinguish genuine medical emergencies from potential tactical delays.
The trial could potentially debut in the Carabao Cup preliminary round. This new measure builds on previous initiatives introduced across the professional game to increase ball-in-play time and reduce unnecessary delays. One such measure was the successful implementation of the goalkeeper eight-second rule last season.
Past Incidents and Future Outlook
Concerns regarding tactical timeouts have been raised in recent seasons. For instance, in November, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke reportedly accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to disrupt play and “bend the rules.” Similarly, in December, Gary Neville suggested that Newcastle’s Aaron Ramsdale went to ground against Manchester United following an instruction from Lewis Hall, believed to have originated from Magpies boss Eddie Howe. This incident occurred in the eighth minute of a match where Luke Shaw was preparing to take a throw-in for United, with the game ultimately finishing 1-0 after Patrick Dorgu had given Manchester United the lead.
Another instance occurred in March, when Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler criticised David Raya for what appeared to be a tactical timeout. These past events highlight the ongoing efforts to address such issues within the sport.
In addition to the goalkeeper injury trial, other time-management tools will be introduced from the 2026-27 season. These include a five-second countdown for match officials when players are deemed to unfairly delay taking a throw-in or goal kick. Furthermore, a ten-second time limit for players leaving the pitch during substitutions will be in operation across the professional game from the first whistle of the forthcoming campaign in the Carabao Cup on Saturday 1 August.
Source: skysports.com