Premier League and EFL begin immediate trial on rule change to combat dark arts

A new rule will be trialled in English football this season in a bid to clamp down on goalkeeper tactical timeouts.

The controversial issue drew criticism from managers, fans and pundits throughout the previous campaign.

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Goalkeepers will no longer be able to go down to receive treatment without a player leaving the field of play under the new rule.

It follows an agreement with the FA which will see the Premier League, Football League, National League and Women’s Super League trial the rule change this season.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) have granted permission for the trial to take place.

Rule change trial

From the start of the season, teams must remove an outfield player when their goalkeeper receives on-field treatment.

Managers will have ten seconds to select a player to leave the pitch once the referee has signalled for the physio to come on.

If they do not nominate a player within ten seconds, the captain will automatically be chosen to leave the field.

The new rule will be trialled for the first time on Saturday during the Carabao Cup preliminary round tie involving Tranmere and Rochdale.

It is understood a variation of the rule will also be used in Australia’s A-League this term.

However, their implementation of the rule will see the captain always having to leave the field.

FIFA also clamped down on the potential breaks in play during this summer’s World Cup.

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Players were not permitted to go to the touchline when goalkeepers were receiving treatment, instead gathering in the centre circle.

Controversial timeouts

This season’s trial follows a rise in goalkeepers being perceived to fake injuries in order to force stoppages in play for unnecessary treatment last season.

Their teammates would then be able to receive instructions from the manager and coaching staff on the touchline.

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke publicly accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of faking an injury in November.

His outburst followed City’s 3-2 Premier League win over Leeds at the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking after the match, Farke exclaimed: “Everyone knows why he went down.

“It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart.

“If I like it? If it’s within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution.

“I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied.

“If we don’t educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can’t complain.”