Premier League trials a controversial rule to curb goalkeeper time‑wasting
The English football pyramid is set to test a novel regulation that will force teams to drop an outfield player whenever a goalkeeper requires medical attention. The measure, championed by the International Football Association Board, aims to deter the growing habit of goalkeepers feigning injuries to gain tactical timeouts, a practice that has surged since the COVID‑19 hiatus.
Under the proposed rule, the manager of a goalkeeper who receives treatment must temporarily remove an outfield player from the pitch. Exceptions are built in for situations where the keeper disagrees with the referee, is fouled, or suffers a serious injury, ensuring that genuine medical concerns are not penalised.
Trials and reactions
The regulation will begin its trial in the Carabao Cup preliminary round on August 1, with the first Premier League fixture affected being Arsenal’s opener against Coventry City on August 21. The Women’s Super League and other domestic competitions will also adopt the measure, while the Australian top flight will implement it but always remove the captain in the process. Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has publicly criticised Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma for what he perceives as feigned injuries, adding a high‑profile voice to the debate.
While no other major leagues have volunteered for the scheme, the International Football Association Board will oversee the experiments and assess whether the rule serves as an effective deterrent against time‑wasting. If successful, the regulation could become a permanent fixture across the global game, reshaping how teams manage goalkeeper injuries and tactical substitutions.