English football leagues including the FA, Premier League, EFL, National League, and Women's Super League will trial a new rule in the 2026-27 season aimed at deterring teams from exploiting goalkeeper injury stoppages for tactical advantage [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. Under the trial, when a goalkeeper is treated on the pitch, the coach must nominate an outfield player to leave the field for one minute after play restarts [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. If the coach fails to nominate a player within 10 seconds of the referee authorizing treatment, the team captain will be required to leave the field for one minute [1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8]. Exceptions will apply if the goalkeeper was fouled, collided with an outfield player also needing treatment, is bleeding, or has a suspected concussion [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].
The English Football Association said it had received approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to introduce the trial as part of its commitment to maintaining match pace and flow [6]. The joint statement from English football governing bodies explained that when the game stops for a goalkeeper injury, the manager must immediately nominate a player to leave the pitch and that player must remain off for one minute after play resumes [4].
The trial aims to prevent teams from using goalkeeper injury stoppages to disrupt momentum, delay the match, or allow tactical instruction during breaks [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. Last season saw notable incidents where goalkeepers were accused of feigning injury to gain advantage, including Arsenal's David Raya and Manchester City's Gianluigi Donnarumma [2, 3, 5, 6]. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said, "In general, the Premier League needs to find a rule because that's not for football what Arsenal did there" [2]. Leeds United's Daniel Farke described Donnarumma "feigning injury to bend the rules and break up play" [2].
The new trial complements existing rules such as the eight-second ball-holding limit for goalkeepers introduced last season and new timing rules for substitutions and throw-ins taking effect in the 2026-27 season [4, 5, 6]. The duration for an outfield player to leave the pitch under the trial is one minute, with the coach given 10 seconds to nominate the player[s1-s8].
The trial is expected to begin with the Carabao Cup preliminary round match between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale on August 1, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. The Premier League season will kick off later that month on August 21, with Arsenal defending their title at home against Coventry [6].
