English football’s governing bodies have agreed to test a new protocol next season that targets the practice of goalkeepers feigning injury to waste time. The initiative, which has been approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), brings together the Premier League, the English Football League (EFL), the Football Association (FA), the National League, the Women’s Super League (WSL) and the Professional Referees’ Association (Pro Ref).
All of these organisations have signed off on a trial designed to eliminate the perceived advantage that teams gain when a goalkeeper pretends to be hurt, allowing the coach to regroup, convey instructions or simply disrupt the flow of the game. The core of the proposal is simple but potentially far‑reaching.
When a referee determines that a goalkeeper requires medical attention, the official will signal that the team’s physiotherapist may enter the field. At that moment the head coach will have ten seconds to nominate an outfield player who will be required to leave the pitch for a minimum of one minute after play resumes. If the coach fails to name a player within the ten‑second window, the team captain will be forced to step off instead. The selected player must remain off the field for at least sixty seconds, regardless of whether the goalkeeper’s injury proves to be genuine or not.
The rationale behind the rule is two‑fold. First, it seeks to preserve the integrity of the game by removing any incentive for goalkeepers to simulate injury as a tactical ploy. Second, it aims to protect genuine injuries by ensuring that medical staff can attend to a player without the side‑effect of granting the defending team an unearned tactical pause. By imposing a tangible cost—a temporary reduction in the number of outfield players on the field—the governing bodies hope to deter clubs from exploiting stoppages while still allowing real medical situations to be handled appropriately.
The trial will be closely monitored throughout the season by the participating leagues, the IFAB and other stakeholders. Data will be collected on the frequency of goalkeeper injuries, the number of players withdrawn under the new rule, and the overall impact on match tempo and spectator experience.
The authorities have indicated that the experiment could make its debut in the Carabao Cup preliminary round, offering a high‑profile platform to assess its effectiveness. The issue of goalkeeper time‑outs is not new.
In November, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke publicly accused Manchester City’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to “bend the rules” and break up play. Farke argued that such behaviour undermines the spirit of competition and gives the defending side an unfair advantage. A month later, former England international and pundit Gary Neville suggested that Newcastle United’s Aaron Ramsdale was instructed by his teammate Lewis Hall—following directions from manager Eddie Howe—to go down after a challenge from Manchester United.
Neville speculated that the move was a pre‑planned tactic to halt United’s momentum, citing the timing of the stoppage when Luke Shaw was about to take a throw‑in for the visitors. Neville’s comments highlighted the broader perception that some managers may be using goalkeeper injuries as a covert method to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm. He said, “I might be cynical, I might be completely wrong, but I think Eddie Howe told Lewis Hall to tell Aaron Ramsdale to go down.
I think there’s a message being sent and they’re reacting to what United are doing.” The match in question ended 1‑0 to Manchester United after Patrick Dorgu scored the decisive goal, but the controversy over the alleged tactical dive lingered. In March, Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi (often mistakenly referred to as Fabian Hurzeler) criticised his own goalkeeper David Raya for appearing to take a tactical timeout during a fixture. De Zerbi argued that even when a keeper is genuinely injured, the subsequent pause can be exploited by the opposition if not properly regulated. Supporters of the trial argue that the new rule will encourage teams to focus on genuine medical care and discourage the use of feigned injuries as a strategic tool.
Critics, however, warn that forcing an outfield player to leave the pitch could create its own set of tactical dilemmas, especially for teams already short on substitutes due to injuries or suspensions. They also question whether a one‑minute penalty is sufficient to offset the advantage gained from a stoppage, or whether it might disproportionately punish teams with smaller squads.
Beyond the immediate tactical implications, the proposal raises broader questions about player welfare, game flow and the role of referees in managing time‑wasting. The IFAB’s involvement underscores the global relevance of the issue, as similar concerns have been raised in other leagues around the world.
If the trial proves successful, it could set a precedent for other footballing bodies to adopt comparable measures, potentially reshaping how the sport handles injury‑related delays. Fans can follow the trial’s progress through official club channels, the Sky Sports app, or other broadcasters. While Sky subscribers have direct access to live coverage, non‑subscribers can still watch highlights and updates via free streaming options.
The governing bodies have pledged transparency, promising to publish findings at the end of the season and to engage with clubs, players, medical professionals and supporters before deciding whether to make the rule permanent. In summary, English football is embarking on an experimental approach to curb goalkeeper time‑outs by imposing a mandatory one‑minute removal of an outfield player whenever a goalkeeper receives medical attention. The scheme, backed by the Premier League, EFL, FA, National League, WSL and Pro Ref and sanctioned by IFAB, aims to strike a balance between protecting genuine injuries and preserving the competitive integrity of the game.
The trial will be observed closely, with the possibility of wider adoption should the data demonstrate a positive impact on match continuity and player welfare.