CONFIRMATION: Premier League Passes Unprecedented Rule Starting from 2026/27 Season

The English top flight will test a new rule from the 2026-27 campaign aimed at stopping goalkeepers from using injury treatment to delay the game or orchestrate tactical breaks.

Premier League along with English professional football leagues will introduce a new trial concerning goalkeeper injuries from the 2026-27 season, after receiving approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

The regulation is designed to curb the situation where goalkeepers deliberately lie on the pitch, request medical attention to disrupt the match, break the opponent's momentum, or give coaches a chance to gather players and pass on tactical instructions.

Under the trial rule, when the match is stopped for the goalkeeper to receive treatment, the team must designate an outfield player to leave the pitch for at least one minute from the moment the ball is back in play. The coach has ten seconds to choose the player. If no one is designated, the captain must leave the pitch, and the team temporarily plays with ten men.

Pro Ref, the body responsible for referee management, stated: “English football has received IFAB approval to introduce a new trial regarding goalkeeper injuries for the 2026-27 season, as part of its commitment to maintaining the pace and flow of matches.”

The regulation will be implemented in the Premier League, EFL, Women's Super League, and National League. However, players will not have to leave the pitch if the goalkeeper needs treatment after a foul by an opponent that is penalized by the referee, if the goalkeeper collides with an outfield player also requiring medical care, or if the goalkeeper is bleeding.

The Premier League explained that there have been cases where goalkeepers sat down and called for the physiotherapist, then teammates used the break to gather around the technical area.

“The purpose could be to waste time, slow down the attacking momentum of the opponent, or allow players to go to the technical area to receive tactical instructions. Then the goalkeeper gets up and continues the match,” the Premier League stated.

The issue sparked controversy last season. Leeds United manager Daniel Farke publicly criticized the situation Gianluigi Donnarumma lying on the pitch during a match against Manchester City, arguing that the current rules could be exploited.

Farke said: “If we deliberately bend the rules, even fake an injury to gain extra time to talk to the whole team, that is not something I like.”

The Premier League stressed that the goal of the trial is not to restrict medical care for goalkeepers with genuine injuries, but to eliminate the tactical advantage teams might gain from unnecessary stoppages.

“The purpose of the trial is to ensure that real injuries still receive proper medical attention while removing any potential sporting advantage,” the Premier League emphasized.