English football is set to trial a new rule aimed at tackling tactical timeouts caused by goalkeepers going down injured during matches.
The controversial stoppages have become increasingly common in recent seasons, with goalkeepers appearing to suffer injuries that leave referees with no other choice but to halt play.
A physio is then called onto the field to treat the goalkeeper before the match resumes, disrupting the flow of the game while also giving managers the opportunity to deliver tactical instructions during the break.
That is not the case when an outfield player receives treatment, as they must remain on the sidelines after play restarts until the referee signals they can return.
But all this is set to change. Under the proposed new law, BBC Sport reports that if a referee calls for the physio to treat a goalkeeper, the team’s manager must nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch for one minute.
If the manager fails to choose a player within 10 seconds, the team’s captain will be selected automatically.
The controversial stoppages have become increasingly common in recent seasons, with goalkeepers appearing to suffer injuries that leave referees with no choice but to halt play
In November, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to ‘bend the rules’ during their clash at the Etihad Stadium
The Premier League, FA, EFL, National League and Women’s Super League have all agreed to the measure, subject to approval from football’s law-making body, IFAB.
If approval is granted, the law will be used for the first time during Saturday’s Carabao Cup preliminary-round tie between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale at Prenton Park.
IFAB rejected a permanent law change earlier this year but instead invited competitions to volunteer for trials.
In November, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to ‘bend the rules’ during their clash at the Etihad Stadium.
‘Everyone knows why he went down,’ Farke said post-match. ‘It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it’s within the sense of fair play?
‘If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution. I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied.
‘If we don’t educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can’t complain.’
Earlier this year, IFAB also approved a series of measures designed to curb time-wasting, which came into force on June 1 ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
The changes included the introduction of a countdown clock for goal kicks and throw-ins.
If a referee believes a throw-in or goal kick is taking too long, or is being deliberately delayed, a five-second visual countdown will begin.
If the ball has not been put back into play by the end of the countdown, possession from the throw-in is awarded to the opposition.
The measures build on changes introduced at the start of last season for delayed goal kicks, under which a corner is awarded if a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for too long.
IFAB also approved further measures to expand the powers of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), including allowing intervention when a yellow card has clearly been shown to the wrong player. The change also applies to red cards resulting from a clearly incorrect second yellow.
