Soccer-English soccer to trial goalkeeper injury rule to deter tactical stoppages
By Martyn Herman
English Soccer Introduces New Goalkeeper Injury Rule to Prevent Tactical Stoppages
LONDON, July 27 (Reuters) - English soccer will trial a new system next season aimed at stopping teams exploiting so-called tactical goalkeeper timeouts, after receiving approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the FA and Premier League confirmed on Monday.
The trial, backed by the Football Association, Premier League, English Football League (EFL), National League, Women's Super League and Pro Ref, will be implemented across England's men's and women's professional game during the 2026-27 season.
Details of the Goalkeeper Injury Rule Trial
Under the trial, if play is stopped for a goalkeeper injury, the manager or head coach must immediately nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch for at least one minute after play resumes. The new rule will take away the incentive for a team to gain a tactical advantage from the stoppage.
IFAB Statement and Laws of the Game
In a statement, IFAB said the trial is based on the current Laws of the Game requirement for an outfield player who is assessed and/or treated on the field, or whose injury causes play to be stopped, to leave the field of play for one minute.
Background and Rationale
The sight of goalkeepers calling for medical attention, often despite no contact from an opponent, has become increasingly common and has been a point of frustration for fans, pundits and opposing managers.
The stoppages can allow team mates to receive tactical instruction near the technical areas.
FA Statement on the Purpose of the Trial
In a statement the FA said the trial was intended to address occasions where goalkeeper injuries have been used tactically to "disrupt momentum, slow the game down or create opportunities for tactical instruction."
"English football will continue to monitor the trial throughout the season, alongside IFAB and other stakeholders, to assess its effectiveness in supporting game flow while maintaining the highest standards of player welfare," it said.
Examples and Reactions from Previous Seasons
Last season there were numerous examples of keepers receiving treatment at crucial junctures of games.
Managerial Criticism and High-Profile Incidents
Brighton and Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler criticised Arsenal keeper David Raya last season after the Spaniard was treated three times with Arsenal holding on for a crucial 1-0 victory in the Premier League title race.
"In general, the Premier League needs to find a rule because that's not for football what Arsenal did there," Hurzeler said at the time.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke also accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" and break up play.
Exceptions and Additional Measures
Situations Where the Rule Will Not Apply
The trial will not apply in certain circumstances such as when a goalkeeper requires treatment after being fouled, collides with an outfield player who also needs medical attention, is bleeding or is injured as the result of a physical offence for which a free kick is awarded and the keeper needs immediate treatment.
Implementation and Related Initiatives
The new system will be introduced from the opening round of the League Cup on August 1.
It forms part of a wider package of measures introduced for the 2026-27 season to reduce time-wasting, including a five-second countdown for delayed throw-ins and goal kicks and a 10-second limit for substituted players to leave the pitch.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, additional reporting by Janina Nuno Rios, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
