English football leagues, including the Premier League and Women’s Super League, have agreed to trial new rules designed to help overcome goalkeeper tactical timeouts. The trial comes after the International Football Association Board (Ifab) rejected rule changes designed to try and overcome the problem, instead asking leagues to volunteer for trials.
The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League, and Women’s Super League have all agreed to trial the new rules and are just waiting for Ifab approval.
Tactical Timeout Trials
Under the new regulations, if a physio comes on the pitch to treat a goalkeeper, another designated player on that team must leave the pitch for one minute, once play resumes. The team’s coach can choose the designated player, but if no player is chosen within ten seconds, the captain is automatically chosen as the player to leave.
The goalkeeper injury “tactical timeout” rule is coming to English football.
If the referee allows medical staff onto the pitch to treat a goalkeeper, their coach will have 10 seconds to nominate an outfield player who must leave the pitch for one minute.
If no player is… pic.twitter.com/88I9UUGc0J
— EPL Bible (@EPLBible) July 27, 2026
A similar idea is being trialled in Australia, except in the A-League, it is always the captain that leaves the field.
A Premier League trial is a major step forward, as it is the most popular league in the world, watched in more than 600 million homes globally. The figure has gained prominence in recent years, driven by online popularity, as well as a general growth in the popularity of the sport, helped by global events like this year’s World Cup.
Football’s popularity is such that it has become a prominent feature in TV shows like Welcome To Wrexham, movies like Next Goal Wins, and games like EA FC. It has also become a very popular genre in casino games and online slot machines with titles like Big Bass Football Bonanza and Football Hold & Blitz.
Timeouts Under Fire
A tactical timeout occurs when a goalkeeper goes down feigning injury. While a physio is called onto the pitch, outfield players assemble in the tactical area, receive instructions from the coach, and then pass these instructions on to the rest of the team. Once the instructions have been relayed, the goalkeeper gets up and play resumes.
The practice has come under fire, with Leeds United’s Daniel Farke accusing Gianluigi Donnarumma, of Manchester City, of bending the rules to break up play. Former Manchester United player turned commentator, Gary Neville, accused Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, defender Lewis Hall, and manager Eddie Howe of colluding to instigate a tactical timeout.
Head of referees Pierluigi Collina tried to curb the practice at this year’s World Cup, telling referees to stop players approaching the tactical area during goalkeeper injuries. However, while that may stop teams from passing out instructions to players, it doesn’t prevent the use of goalkeeper injuries to break up the rhythm of the game – something the new trial aims to prevent.
The trial aims to mirror rules that say players who receive treatment must exit the field of play for at least a minute once play resumes. The new laws could come into force in the preliminary rounds of the Carabao Cup, if Ifab gives the changes the green light in time.
