New FA Rule: Outfield Players Must Exit for 60 Seconds During Goalkeeper Injuries

A new goalkeeper injury trial mandates that a nominated outfield player must remain off the field for one minute following a medical stoppage.

The English Football Association has confirmed that a new goalkeeper injury trial will begin this Saturday during the English League Cup fixture between Tranmere and Rochdale. Approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the regulation requires a head coach to nominate one outfield player to leave the pitch immediately if a game is halted for a goalkeeper to receive medical attention. This nominated individual must remain sidelined for a minimum of one minute after play restarts. The protocol aims to preserve the pace of matches and prevent teams from using medical breaks to provide tactical instructions or disrupt momentum.

Referees will trigger a 10-second countdown once they indicate a goalkeeper requires treatment on the field. If a manager fails to name an outfield player within this ten-second window, the team captain will automatically be forced to exit the pitch for the one-minute duration. The trial will be implemented across the Premier League, English Football League, Women’s Super League, and the National League for the 2026-27 season. Arsenal is scheduled to begin its title defense under these new conditions on August 21 at home against newly promoted Coventry.

Exceptions for Collisions and Bleeding

Specific scenarios are exempt from the one-minute player removal rule to ensure genuine medical emergencies are handled appropriately. The FA stated that an outfield player will not be required to leave the field if a free kick was awarded for a foul on the goalkeeper that necessitated immediate treatment. Additionally, no penalty applies if the goalkeeper is bleeding or if the injury resulted from a collision with an outfield player. The joint statement from Pro Ref and English football governing bodies emphasizes that these exceptions protect players while removing the sporting advantage of tactical stoppages.

New Substitution and Set-Piece Timers

Beyond the goalkeeper injury trial, English football is introducing several time-related mandates to increase active play. Starting August 1 in the Carabao Cup, substituted players will be granted a maximum of 10 seconds to exit the field of play. Match officials will also implement a five-second countdown for players taking goal-kicks or throw-ins to prevent intentional delays. These measures follow the previous introduction of the eight-second rule, which penalizes goalkeepers who hold the ball for too long by awarding a corner kick to the opposing side.

Implementation Across Professional Tiers

The initiative is championed by a collective including the Premier League, EFL, and the Women's Super League to maintain the flow of the professional game. The FA announced the move on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 08:15 PM ET, noting that the trial is part of an ongoing commitment to match integrity. By requiring teams to play with 10 men for 60 seconds following a goalkeeper treatment pause, officials hope to eliminate feigned injuries intended to slow down the opposition's momentum. The Tranmere versus Rochdale cup match serves as the official debut for these regulatory changes before they roll out to the top-flight opening weekend in late August.