The top leagues in English football are set to trial new measures designed to tackle goalkeeper tactical timeouts in the upcoming season. By Adegboyega Adeleye English football is set to trial a new rule aimed at stopping goalkeepers from deliberately using injury stoppages as tactical timeouts during matches, with teams potentially forced to play with 10 men for one minute if a goalkeeper receives treatment, the BBC Sport reports. The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women’s Super League have agreed to the trial, subject to approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
Under the proposed measure, when a referee allows a goalkeeper to receive treatment from a physiotherapist after play has been stopped, the coach will have 10 seconds to nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch for one minute. If the coach fails to nominate a player within the 10-second window, the captain will be required to leave the field. The trial could begin with the Carabao Cup preliminary-round match between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale on August 1, provided IFAB gives the necessary clearance.
The move follows growing concerns over goalkeepers appearing to feign or exaggerate injuries to halt play, disrupt an opponent’s momentum or provide coaches with an opportunity to deliver tactical instructions to their players. The practice has become increasingly controversial, particularly when goalkeepers go down late in matches as their teams attempt to protect a lead. Leeds United manager Daniel Farke was among those to criticise the tactic last season after accusing Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to “bend the rules” and break up play.
The new proposal is designed as a deterrent. While players will still be allowed to gather near the touchline during a stoppage, the prospect of temporarily playing with 10 men is expected to discourage teams from deliberately using goalkeeper injuries to gain a tactical advantage. There will, however, be exemptions.
An outfield player will not be required to leave the pitch if the goalkeeper does not need treatment and play has not been stopped, if the goalkeeper and a teammate collide, if the goalkeeper is fouled and requires immediate treatment, or if the goalkeeper is bleeding. The rule will also not apply in cases involving a serious injury requiring substitution or suspected concussion. The proposed trial comes after IFAB decided against immediately changing the Laws of the Game but in…
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