English football’s top leagues are preparing to trial new measures aimed at addressing tactical timeouts by goalkeepers. The Premier League, EFL, FA, National League, WSL, and Pro Ref have all agreed to participate in the trial, which has received approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
The initiative seeks to prevent situations where goalkeepers may feign injury to halt play, allowing managers to regroup and convey tactical instructions. This practice has been observed in recent seasons, with goalkeepers sometimes appearing to receive treatment while their teammates gather for tactical advice or drinks.
New rule details and implementation
Under the proposed 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. Should no player be nominated within this timeframe, the team captain will be required to leave the field temporarily. The selected player must then remain off the field for a minimum of one minute after play resumes.
The goal of this new measure is to ensure that genuine injuries continue to receive appropriate medical attention, while simultaneously eliminating any potential sporting advantage that might arise from such stoppages. English football authorities, along with IFAB and other stakeholders, will monitor the trial’s effectiveness throughout the season.
The trial is expected to be implemented immediately, with its first potential appearance in the Carabao Cup preliminary round. IFAB had previously indicated its intent to address tactical timeouts at its annual general meeting in February, but stated that trials would not be approved until after the World Cup.
There are specific exceptions to this rule. An outfield player will not be required to leave the field if the goalkeeper has collided with another player, has been fouled, or if there is any concern about a serious injury, including a concussion. Additionally, if a free-kick is awarded for a foul on the goalkeeper and immediate treatment is needed, the rule will not apply.
Previous incidents leading to the trial
The discussion around goalkeeper tactical timeouts has been prompted by several incidents in recent matches. In November, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury during a Premier League match. Farke suggested that Donnarumma’s actions were intended to break up play and allow City’s manager to communicate with his team, particularly when Leeds had momentum.
The match in question saw Manchester City secure a 3-2 victory, with a goal from Phil Foden in stoppage time. Farke commented on the incident after the game, noting that while such actions might be within the rules, he questioned their alignment with fair play. He also indicated that it was up to football authorities to find a solution to the issue.
Another instance occurred in December, when Gary Neville suggested that Newcastle United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale went to ground during a match against Manchester United following an instruction from Lewis Hall, which Neville believed originated from Magpies boss Eddie Howe. This stoppage happened in the eighth minute of the game, with Luke Shaw waiting to take a throw-in for United. Manchester United had taken the lead through Patrick Dorgu, and the match concluded with a 1-0 scoreline.
More recently, in March, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler criticised David Raya for what appeared to be a tactical timeout. These events highlight the growing concern among managers and commentators regarding the use of injury stoppages for tactical advantage.
The trial’s logic draws from existing rules where outfield players requiring on-field treatment must leave the pitch for a minute. While sending a goalkeeper off would be too significant a disadvantage, the current system has created a loophole that teams have exploited. This new measure aims to close that loophole, and if successful, it could be formally added to the game’s laws for the 2027-28 season.
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Source: skysports.com
