Premier League Approves Trial Rule Penalizing Goalkeeper Timeouts With Outfield Player Removal

The 10-Second Rule and Outfield Player Penalties

The new protocol tackles a tactic that has grown increasingly controversial across top-flight fixtures. When a goalkeeper sits on the turf to signal for a physio, teams have routinely used the stoppage to bring players to the technical area for impromptu team talks or to disrupt opponent momentum. The tactic of gaining a timeout as the keeper is treated has become increasingly common and controversial in recent seasons. It has not been uncommon for the goalkeeper to sit on the turf and signal for the physio, with all the other players rushing to the technical area for a team talk. As soon as the coach has delivered their instructions, the keeper gets up to play on. Goalkeeper treatment has also been used to disrupt the opposition’s momentum when they are on top.

To eliminate that sporting advantage, Pro Ref outlined a strict timeline for managers. Pro Ref, led by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, had been in discussions with the leagues to determine how to tackle the issue. It settled on a team having to remove an outfield player from the pitch. If a referee signals that the physio can come on to treat a goalkeeper, that team’s coach will have 10 seconds to nominate another player to leave the pitch for one minute after play has restarted, telling the fourth official of their choice. If no player has been selected within 10 seconds, the captain must leave the field. The nominated player will then be 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.

High-Profile Incidents Sparked Immediate Regulatory Action

The decision follows a string of high-profile matches where managers openly questioned whether goalkeeper injuries were genuine. In November, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to “bend the rules” and break up play. Daniel Farke suggested that Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma received treatment in the second-half to allow Pep Guardiola tactical instructions while Leeds held the upper hand.

Global Movement and Additional Time-Wasting Rules

The English trial is part of a broader global movement to refine the laws of the game, with the Australian A-League also exploring variations of these time-management rules. While the FA and Premier League remain committed to the trial, some stakeholders have voiced concerns regarding player safety. Despite these concerns, the governing bodies believe the current system of tactical stoppages is unsustainable. The English authorities will closely monitor the trial throughout the 2026-27 season alongside IFAB to determine its long-term viability. By removing the incentive for teams to “fake” injuries, the hope is that the beautiful game will become faster, fairer, and less interrupted by sideline gamesmanship.

The Zurich-based International Football Association Board (IFAB) has actually approved two variations of the trial, with the English game choosing the nominated-player option, while leagues such as Australia’s A-League will test a version in which the captain always has to leave the field. Under the version which will be used in the English Football League, FA competitions, the National League, the Premier League and Women’s Super League, the manager will have 10 seconds to tell the fourth official who they are choosing to take off, or the captain will be the one who is temporarily removed. IFAB signalled its intention to eradicate these tactical timeouts at its last annual general meeting in February but said it would not approve any trials until after the World Cup. In the meantime, FIFA’s refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina told officials at this summer’s tournament to stop players from going to the technical area whenever there was a stoppage for treatment.

English football’s professional refereeing body Pro Ref, which was formerly known as PGMOL, discussed both trial options with the FA and leagues before choosing the nominated-player approach. In a statement on Monday, Pro Ref said: 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.

BBC Sport understands that the Australian A-League will trial a variation with the captain always having to leave the field. The new goalkeeper timeout measure will make its competitive debut in the Carabao Cup preliminary round tie between Tranmere and Rochdale on Saturday.