English football will introduce a trial this season in an effort to end the goalkeeper tactical time-out.
- Backed by Pro Ref, Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, Women’s Super League and National League, awaiting International Football Association Board approval for 2026–27.
- Managers must nominate an outfield player to leave immediately for goalkeeper injuries; the nominated player must remain off-field for at least one minute after restart.
- The trial aims to ensure genuine injuries receive proper medical attention while removing any potential sporting advantage associated with stoppages.
- Exceptions include free-kick for a foul on the goalkeeper requiring immediate treatment; collisions between goalkeeper and outfield player; or goalkeeper bleeding.
- Complementary measures: the eight-second rule from last season; a five-second countdown for delayed throw-ins or goal-kicks; substitutes get 10 seconds to exit from the Carabao Cup.
The trial – backed collectively by Pro Ref, the Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, Women’s Super League and the National League – aims to prevent goalkeeper injuries used to disrupt momentum and allow opportunities for tactical instruction.
The new measures are pending permission from the game’s law makers, the International Football Association Board, but are planned to run throughout the course of the 2026-27 domestic season.
“As part of the trial, if the game is stopped for a goalkeeper injury, the manager/head coach will be required to nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch immediately,” the governing bodies said in a joint statement. “The nominated player is required to remain off the field for a minimum of one minute after the restart of play.
“The aim is to ensure genuine injuries continue to receive appropriate medical attention, while removing any potential sporting advantage associated with stoppages.”
The trial will operate with several exceptions, including when a free-kick is awarded for a foul on the goalkeeper and they immediately require treatment – also, when the goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need attention, or the goalkeeper is bleeding.
Last season the goalkeeper eight-second rule was introduced, punishing a goalkeeper for holding the ball for that length of time with the award of a corner to the opposition. That rule change was deemed a success and, working alongside that this season, a five-second countdown will be used by match officials where players have delayed the taking of a throw-in or goal-kick.
Players will also be given 10 seconds to leave the pitch when substituted, and this will come into operation from the start of the Carabao Cup on 1 August.
