English Football Introduces New Rule Trial to Prevent Goalkeeper Time-Wasting
English football will introduce a new trial during the upcoming season aimed at preventing goalkeepers from creating tactical stoppages that allow teams to regroup during matches.
The initiative has been jointly approved by the Football Association (FA), Premier League, English Football League (EFL), National League and Women’s Super League after receiving authorisation from the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
The proposal was developed following discussions between Pro Ref, led by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, and football authorities on how to discourage deliberate delays caused by goalkeeper treatment.
Under the trial, if a referee allows medical staff onto the pitch to treat a goalkeeper, the manager or coach will have just 10 seconds to nominate an outfield player who must temporarily leave the field. That player will remain off the pitch for one minute after play resumes. If no player is selected within the time limit, the team’s captain will automatically be required to leave the field instead.
The new rule will first be used during Saturday’s Carabao Cup preliminary-round match between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale.
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Tackling a Growing Trend
In recent seasons, goalkeepers have increasingly gone to ground requesting treatment, giving teammates the opportunity to gather around the technical area for tactical instructions. Once the team talk is complete, play often resumes with the goalkeeper continuing without issue.
The practice has also been criticised for disrupting the momentum of opponents during key stages of matches.
Last November, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke publicly accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of using injury treatment to interrupt the flow of play and exploit the rules.
Meanwhile, IFAB has also clarified its approach to the mistaken identity law following its use during the FIFA World Cup. Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron and Switzerland’s Breel Embolo were both cautioned for simulation, with Embolo’s second booking resulting in his dismissal during Switzerland’s quarter-final defeat to Argentina.
Although IFAB has acknowledged positive feedback regarding the interpretation, it confirmed the procedure will not become official until the ongoing review of the VAR protocol has been completed.
Designed as a Preventative Measure
At IFAB’s annual general meeting earlier this year, head of referees Pierluigi Collina identified goalkeeper tactical stoppages as an issue that required attention.
During the 2026 World Cup, officials were instructed to stop players from gathering around coaching staff whenever play was halted. However, football authorities felt that restriction alone would not eliminate the problem, particularly as hydration breaks already provide opportunities for tactical discussions.
Instead, English football has chosen an approach similar to the existing rule for injured outfield players, who must leave the field for one minute after receiving treatment.
The aim is to discourage coaches from using goalkeeper injuries as planned timeouts before they happen rather than attempting to stop team talks once they have already begun.
Former Liverpool midfielder and Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy previously suggested a similar solution.
He argued that if a goalkeeper requires treatment, an outfield teammate should temporarily leave the pitch instead, creating an equal consequence and removing any tactical advantage.
Officials will still allow players to approach the touchline while treatment is taking place, but the possibility of playing with only 10 men for a minute is expected to discourage unnecessary stoppages—especially during the closing stages of matches when teams are protecting a lead.
Situations Where the Rule Will Not Apply
The temporary player removal will not be enforced in several specific circumstances:
- The goalkeeper does not require treatment and has not caused play to stop.
- The goalkeeper collides with a teammate.
- The goalkeeper is fouled and requires immediate medical attention.
- The goalkeeper is bleeding.
- The injury is serious, involves concussion, or requires a substitution.
- The goalkeeper is replaced during the stoppage.
Some concerns have been raised that players could attempt to continue despite injuries to avoid the temporary reduction in numbers. Football authorities will closely monitor the trial throughout the season.
IFAB will evaluate the results at future meetings, with the possibility of introducing the rule permanently across world football from the 2027-28 season if the trial proves successful.
