New Goalkeeper Timeout Rules
England set to trial new rule to curb tactical goalkeeper timeouts next season.
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Key Points
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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to bend the rules and disrupt play, illustrating high-profile scrutiny of goalkeeper timeouts.
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Gary Neville suggested Newcastle’s Aaron Ramsdale went to ground against Manchester United after an instruction from Eddie Howe, underscoring how pundits have alleged tactical manipulation around keeper treatment.
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IFAB had previously declined to change the laws and instead invited leagues to volunteer for trials, paving the way for national bodies to test new approaches this season.
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Pro Ref, led by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, has been involved in discussions with the FA and the leagues to shape the trial's implementation.
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The first potential match to host the trial could be the Carabao Cup preliminary-round clash between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale, subject to IFAB clearance.
English football is set to trial a rule that forces an outfield player off the pitch for one minute whenever a goalkeeper receives physio treatment, according to Sky Sports. The Football Association, Premier League, EFL, National League, and Women's Super League have all agreed to the plan, which still needs formal clearance from the sport's global rulemakers at IFAB.
The rule targets so-called goalkeeper tactical timeouts — moments when keepers allegedly fake or exaggerate injuries to stop play, give their team a breather, or disrupt the opponent's momentum. Reuters reports that if IFAB grants permission, the first trial match could be the Carabao Cup preliminary-round clash between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale.
How the New One-Minute Rule Would Work
Under the trial, when a physio steps on the pitch to treat the goalkeeper, the team's manager must nominate an outfield player to leave the field within 10 seconds, according to Sky Sports. If no nomination is made in time, the captain automatically goes off. That player must stay off the pitch for at least one full minute after play restarts.
IFAB approved two versions of the trial. England will use the nominated-player option, where the manager picks who leaves. Australia's A-League will test a different variant where the captain always leaves. Reuters notes that Pro Ref, led by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, helped shape how the trial will be run in England.
High-Profile Incidents That Pushed Football to Act
Frustration over goalkeeper timeouts boiled over several times last season. Leeds United manager Daniel Farke publicly accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of faking injury to disrupt play and bend the rules. The accusation drew wide attention and put pressure on authorities to act.
Pundit Gary Neville went further, suggesting Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale went to ground against Manchester United after receiving an instruction from manager Eddie Howe. Sky Sports reported both incidents as examples of the growing belief that the tactic was being used deliberately to gain an advantage.
Why IFAB Changed Course After Earlier Refusals
IFAB, which writes the laws of the game, had previously refused to change the rules around goalkeeper treatment. Instead, it chose to invite leagues to volunteer for trials, letting individual competitions test new approaches before any global rule change. That opened the door for England's football bodies to step forward, according to Head Topics.
The five English bodies moved quickly once that invitation was extended. Their joint agreement signals rare cross-competition unity. The plan aims to protect genuine player welfare while closing a loophole that teams have used to kill momentum and buy time late in matches.
Tranmere vs Rochdale Could Make Football History
The Carabao Cup preliminary round is the earliest point the trial could be tested. Reuters identified the match between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale as a potential first test case, subject to IFAB giving the green light in time. That would make it one of the lowest-profile games to debut a rule change with such wide-reaching implications.
If the trial proves effective, it could set a template for rule changes across world football. For now, goalkeepers, managers, and referees across England's top leagues are waiting to find out exactly when and where the one-minute rule first comes into force.
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