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See the full story · 3 sourcesFA to trial new goalkeeper injury rule across English football this season
The Football Association (FA) has confirmed that English football will introduce a new goalkeeper injury trial for the 2026/27 season .
They have received approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
The initiative is backed by the FA, Premier League, English Football League, Women’s Super League, National League and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
It is aimed at reducing time-wasting and ensuring matches maintain a higher tempo.
Under the new trial, if play is stopped because of a goalkeeper injury, the manager or head coach must immediately nominate an outfield player to leave the field.
That player will not be permitted to return until at least one minute after play has restarted.
The rule is designed to discourage teams from using goalkeeper treatment breaks as a tactical tool to halt opposition momentum, waste time or allow extra coaching instructions.
Several exemptions will apply. The temporary player removal will not be enforced if the goalkeeper requires immediate treatment after being fouled.
It will also not be enforced if they collide with a teammate and both players need medical attention, or if the goalkeeper is bleeding.
The trial will be used across the men’s and women’s professional game in England but will not extend below National League Step 2 in the men’s pyramid.
Football authorities will monitor the experiment throughout the campaign alongside IFAB to determine whether it improves match flow without compromising player welfare.
The goalkeeper injury trial is part of a wider package of measures introduced to increase ball-in-play time.
Following the successful rollout of the goalkeeper eight-second possession rule last season, officials will also begin using a five-second countdown when players delay taking throw-ins or goal kicks.
In addition, a new 10-second limit for substituted players to leave the pitch will come into force across the professional game.
These laws take effect from the opening round of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup on August 1, as football’s lawmakers continue their push to reduce unnecessary stoppages.
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