English football will introduce a new trial next season designed to prevent teams from exploiting tactical goalkeeper injury stoppages after the measure received approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the Football Association and the Premier League, the governing bodies announced Monday.
The trial, supported by the Football Association, Premier League, English Football League (EFL), National League, Women's Super League and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), will be rolled out across England's men's and women's professional competitions during the 2026-27 season.
Under the new protocol, if play is halted because of a goalkeeper injury, the manager or head coach must immediately nominate an outfield player to leave the field of play for at least one minute once play resumes. The rule is intended to remove any tactical benefit teams might gain by using goalkeeper injury stoppages to disrupt the game or slow the tempo.
In a statement, IFAB said the trial is based on the current Laws of the Game requirement for an outfield player who is assessed and/or treated on the field of play, or whose injury causes play to be stopped, to leave the field of play for one minute.
