The FA have confirmed that the International Football Association Board have approved a new goalkeeper injury trial for the 2026/27 Premier League season.
The FA have officially announced that English football has received approval from IFAB to trial a new system to cut down on tactical goalkeeper injury timeouts.
For a while, teams have abused the fact that a goalkeeper going down for medical treatment doesn’t have to leave the field of play afterwards. A goalkeeper can go down, disrupt momentum, and give their team time to address things tactically during the break, with no negative consequences.
The trial will introduce such a consequence, requiring the head coach to immediately nominate a player to leave the pitch for a minimum of one minute after the game restarts.
There will be exceptions to the rule, including if the goalkeeper is fouled, if the goalkeeper is bleeding, or if the goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and both need attention.
But the hope is that this will cut down on potential sporting advantages associated with such stoppages.
The FA add that they will also be introducing a five-second countdown option for match officials to use when they believe players are unfairly delaying a throw-in or goal-kick. The system was used at the World Cup, and it will now be introduced in English football.
Finally, a ten-second limit will be in place for players leaving the pitch when substituted.
The trial will take place across the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup this season, as well as the upcoming Community Shield match. So it will apply to Arsenal in all competitions except the Champions League.
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