England Introduces Trial Rule to Eradicate Goalkeeper 'Tactical Time-Outs': Outfield Player to Sit Out for 1 Minute

English football will introduce a trial rule starting from the 2026-2027 season, with the approval of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), to eradicate "tactical time-outs" utilizing goalkeepers.

British public broadcaster BBC reported on July 28, "Starting this season, whenever the medical team enters the pitch to treat a goalkeeper, another outfield player from the same team will be required to leave the pitch for one minute after play resumes," adding, "The moment the referee signals for the medical team to enter the pitch, the team's manager must inform the fourth official within 10 seconds which outfield player will step off the pitch."

This trial regulation has been agreed upon by the Football Association, the Premier League, the English Football League, the National League, and the Women's Super League, and has also received approval from IFAB, the body that determines the laws of the game.

English football authorities decided to introduce this rule because the tactic of utilizing goalkeeper treatment to gain a time-out has become increasingly prevalent over recent seasons.

It has become common for a goalkeeper to sit on the pitch and call for the medical staff while other players rush to the bench area to receive tactical instructions, only for the goalkeeper to immediately stand up and resume play once the manager's instructions are finished.

Furthermore, goalkeeper treatments have also been abused as a means to disrupt the opposing team's momentum.

Ultimately, following internal discussions, the English football community concluded that merely preventing outfield players from going to the bench was not enough to stop time-wasting tactics using goalkeepers.

Regarding this, the BBC explained, "They have chosen a trial regulation that applies the existing rule—where an outfield player must stay off the pitch for one minute after receiving medical treatment—to goalkeepers as well," calling it "a powerful deterrent to prevent teams from attempting tactical time-outs using goalkeepers."

However, exception rules have also been established.

An outfield player will not need to leave the pitch if the goalkeeper states that medical treatment is not needed and play is not stopped, if there is a collision between a goalkeeper and an outfield player, if the goalkeeper is fouled and requires immediate treatment, if the goalkeeper is bleeding, or in cases of severe injuries or concussions requiring a substitution.

Following an evaluation of the trial's results, IFAB will decide whether to introduce it as an official permanent rule starting from the 2027-2028 season.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.