English football has received approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to run a 2026–27 goalkeeper injury trial.
The key measures require a coach to nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch for one minute, enforce a five-second countdown for restarts, and limit substitution exits to ten seconds.
Players being replaced have 10 seconds to leave the field, starting from the opening round of the Carabao Cup on August 1.
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In a statement, the FA said the trial was intended to address occasions where goalkeeper injuries have been used tactically to “disrupt momentum, slow the game down or create opportunities for tactical instruction.”
“English football will continue to monitor the trial throughout the season, alongside IFAB and other stakeholders, to assess its effectiveness in supporting game flow while maintaining the highest standards of player welfare,” it said.
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 immediately. 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 a number of exceptions, including where a free kick is awarded for a foul on the goalkeeper and they immediately require treatment, the goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need attention; or the goalkeeper is bleeding.
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“Furthermore, a 10-second time limit for players leaving the pitch when substituted will be in operation across the professional game from the first whistle of the forthcoming campaign in the Carabao Cup on Saturday 1st August.”
Last season there were numerous examples of keepers receiving treatment at crucial junctures of games.
Brighton and Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler criticized Arsenal keeper David Raya last season after the Spaniard was treated three times with Arsenal holding on for a crucial 1-0 victory in the Premier League title race.
This rule applies across the men’s and women’s professional leagues in England, with an early planned test in the Carabao Cup.
