There is a new rule coming to the Premier League for the 2026/27 season.
A statement from Pro Ref, the organisation that manages the Premier League match officials, has said: "English football has received approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to introduce a new goalkeeper injury trial for the 2026/27 season as part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining the pace and flow of matches.
"The trial, championed collectively by Pro Ref, The FA, Premier League, EFL, WSL Football and the National League, will be implemented across the men's and women's professional game in England and is designed to address occasions where goalkeeper injuries have been used to disrupt momentum, slow the game down or create opportunities for tactical instruction."
Under the trial, if the game is stopped for a goalkeeper injury, one of the ‘keeper’s team-mates will have to leave the pitch for at least one minute of play.
Why has the trial been introduced?
There have been times when a goalkeeper has sat down and signalled for the physio, and his team have used the break as a competitive advantage.
The aim could be to waste time, or to slow down an opponent's momentum, or to enable all the outfield players to go to the technical area and get tactical instructions from their manager. The goalkeeper then gets back up and carries on.
The aim of the trial is to ensure genuine injuries continue to receive appropriate medical attention while removing any potential sporting advantage.
How will it work?
If the game is stopped for a goalkeeper injury, the manager or head coach will have to nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch immediately.
The nominated player has to stay off the pitch for at least one minute after the restart of play.
Are there exceptions?
Yes. The new rule won't apply if a free-kick is awarded for a foul on the goalkeeper and they immediately require treatment, or if the goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need attention, or if the goalkeeper is bleeding.
How long will the trial last?
English football will monitor the trial throughout the season, alongside IFAB and other stakeholders, to assess its effectiveness in supporting the flow of the game while maintaining player welfare.
What other measures are or will be in place to tackle time-wasting?
The trial builds on a series of measures introduced across the professional game to increase ball-in-play time and reduce delays, including the goalkeeper eight-second rule which was successfully implemented last season.
This season, match officials will use a five-second countdown when players are deemed to unfairly delay the taking of a throw-in or goal kick. Any delay of greater than five seconds could lead to the throw-in being awarded to the opposing team by the referee, while the referee may change a delayed goal-kick to a corner kick for the opponents/
There will also be a 10-second limit for players leaving the pitch when substituted. Any excessive delay could result in a one-minute delay after restart before the substitute can enter the field of play.
Premier League and Pro Ref Competition Guidance Handbook 2026/27