Premier League to trial new goalkeeper injury rule in bid to prevent tactical stoppages

The Premier League and wider English professional game will trial a new goalkeeper injury protocol during the 2026-27 season.
Teams will be required to remove an outfield player for at least one minute when play is stopped for most goalkeeper injuries.
The trial is designed to discourage tactical stoppages while protecting players with genuine injuries.

The Premier League will introduce a new goalkeeper injury protocol for the 2026-27 season after English football received approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to trial the measure across the men’s and women’s professional game.

The Football Association confirmed the change on Monday, describing the initiative as part of a wider effort to improve the pace and flow of matches by reducing stoppages caused by goalkeepers appearing to require treatment for tactical reasons.

The trial has been developed jointly by the FA, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the Premier League, the English Football League, Women’s Super League Football and the National League.

Under the new protocol, if play is stopped because of a goalkeeper injury, the goalkeeper’s head coach must immediately nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch. That player must remain off the field for a minimum of one minute after play restarts.

The FA said the measure is intended to remove any potential tactical benefit from stopping play while ensuring goalkeepers with genuine injuries continue to receive appropriate medical treatment.

The governing body said the trial is aimed at situations where goalkeeper injuries have been used to slow the tempo of matches, disrupt opposition momentum or create opportunities for tactical instruction from the technical area.

Reports in England indicate coaches will have 10 seconds to nominate the player who must leave the field after the referee signals that treatment can begin. If no player is nominated within that period, the team captain will automatically become the player required to leave the pitch.

Several exceptions will apply during the trial.

The protocol will not be used if a goalkeeper requires treatment immediately after being fouled, if a goalkeeper and an outfield player collide and both need medical attention, or if the goalkeeper is bleeding.

The FA said those exemptions are designed to ensure players receive appropriate care without placing their team at a competitive disadvantage during genuine injury situations.

“The aim is to ensure genuine injuries continue to receive appropriate medical attention while removing any potential sporting advantage associated with stoppages,” a joint statement from the participating competitions said.

The first Premier League fixture affected by the trial will be Arsenal’s opening match of the title defence against newly promoted Coventry on Aug. 21.

The trial is expected to make its competitive debut earlier, with the English League Cup tie between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale scheduled to become the first match played under the new protocol.

The goalkeeper injury trial follows the introduction of several recent law changes designed to reduce time-wasting.

Last season, goalkeepers became subject to the eight-second possession rule, with referees awarding a corner kick if the ball was held beyond the permitted time. The FA described the implementation of that law as successful.

Match officials will also introduce a visible five-second countdown this season for delayed throw-ins and goal kicks.

Substitution procedures have also been amended. Players leaving the field after being substituted will now have 10 seconds to exit the pitch, with that measure taking effect from the opening round of the Carabao Cup on Aug. 1.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.