English football agrees trial to end goalkeeper tactical timeouts
English football bodies have agreed to trial a rule where outfield players must leave the pitch for a minute if a goalkeeper calls for treatment, aiming to stop tactical delays.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- English football authorities agree on a trial to eradicate goalkeeper tactical timeouts.
- Coaches must bench an outfield player for one minute if the physio treats the keeper.
- Pending Ifab approval, the trial could debut in the Carabao Cup on August 1.
English football is set to implement a trial this season to eradicate the goalkeeper tactical timeout, following an agreement between the Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League, and Women's Super League, pending permission from the International Football Association Board (Ifab).
Earlier this year, Ifab invited leagues to volunteer for trials rather than changing the law directly. Pro Ref, led by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, discussed various options with the leagues before settling on requiring a team to remove an outfield player from the field of play.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Under the trial protocol, if a referee signals the physio onto the pitch to treat a goalkeeper, the coach has 10 seconds to nominate another player to leave the pitch for one minute, informing the fourth official. If no player is selected within 10 seconds, the team captain must leave the field.
"It is intended to be proactive as a deterrent rather than reactive to a team talk as it happens."
English Football Authorities
There are a few exemptions where a team-mate will not have to go off:
- Where a goalkeeper says they do not need the physio and they have not caused play to stop.
- The goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided.
- If a goalkeeper is fouled and needs immediate treatment.
- If there is a serious injury requiring a substitution or concussion protocol.
Context and Analysis: The practice of goalkeeping treatment breaks has long been criticized as a loophole allowing managers to stage unauthorized team talks and disrupt opponent momentum, particularly in tight matches. By adapting the existing rule for outfield players—who must exit for a minute after receiving treatment—authorities hope the threat of playing with 10 men will serve as an effective deterrent against time-wasting.
If clearance is received in time, the first game featuring this trial will be the Carabao Cup preliminary round tie between Tranmere and Rochdale on Saturday, 1 August. The results will be assessed by Ifab throughout the season, potentially leading to a permanent global law change by the 2027-28 campaign.
Source: BBC Sport
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