English football to trial rule: goalkeeper injury treatment forces outfield player off pitch

Published Jul 27, 05:32 PM UTC

English football authorities, including the FA, Premier League, EFL, National League, and Women's Super League, have agreed to trial a measure to stop goalkeepers from using fake injuries to gain tactical timeouts. The trial, approved by IFAB, requires that if a goalkeeper receives treatment, the team's coach must nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch for one minute after play restarts. If no player is selected within 10 seconds, the captain must leave. The first match featuring the trial will be the Carabao Cup preliminary round between Tranmere and Rochdale. The tactic has become increasingly controversial, with Leeds United manager Daniel Farke accusing Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury. The measure is intended as a proactive deterrent, following the logic applied to outfield players. Meanwhile, IFAB has clarified the mistaken identity rule after FIFA used it to book two players for simulation at the World Cup.