Premier League to trial new law to prevent goalkeeper time-wasting

The measure has been approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and adopted by English football's governing bodies, including the Premier League, as part of a wider effort to improve the flow of matches while ensuring genuinely injured goalkeepers continue to receive appropriate medical care.

Under the new protocol, once a referee signals for a goalkeeper to be treated, the head coach will have 10 seconds to nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch. That player must remain off the field for at least one minute after play resumes. If no player is chosen within the time limit, the team's captain will automatically be required to leave.

The trial is expected to make its debut in the Carabao Cup preliminary round before being introduced across the Premier League during the 2026-27 campaign.

The rule targets a growing trend in which goalkeepers are accused of exaggerating injuries to halt the opposition's momentum or create an opportunity for managers to deliver tactical instructions. Rather than banning players from approaching the technical area, lawmakers believe the prospect of playing with 10 men for a minute will provide a far greater deterrent.

Several Premier League incidents have brought the issue into focus. Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville claimed Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale deliberately went to ground during a match against United to allow Eddie Howe to reorganise his side, while Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler criticised Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya over what he believed was a tactical stoppage. Leeds United manager Daniel Farke also accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of "bending the rules" by feigning injury to disrupt play.

The trial includes a number of exceptions. An outfield player will not have to leave the pitch if the goalkeeper has been fouled and requires immediate treatment, collides with a teammate, is bleeding, suffers a serious injury or concussion, or if play has not been stopped for medical attention. Goalkeeper substitutions will also proceed without delay.

The new initiative follows last season's successful introduction of the eight-second goalkeeper possession rule, which awards a corner kick if a goalkeeper holds the ball for too long. Additional time-saving measures will also be introduced this season, including five-second countdowns for delayed throw-ins and goal-kicks, while substituted players will be required to leave the field within 10 seconds.

English football and IFAB will monitor the trial throughout the season, with its findings potentially paving the way for a permanent change to the Laws of the Game from the 2027-28 campaign.

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