English football proposes trial to tackle goalkeeper timeouts

The top leagues in English football are set to trial new measures designed to tackle goalkeeper tactical timeouts in the upcoming season.

The key stakeholders in English football - the Premier League, EFL, FA, National League, WSL and Pro Ref - have all agreed to the trial, after being granted permission from the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

Discussions have taken place on how to eradicate the issue of goalkeeper tactical timeouts - when keepers allegedly feign injury to waste time and allow managers to regroup and pass on information - and the organisations have settled on having to remove an outfield player from the field.

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If the referee signals that the physio can come on to treat the goalkeeper, the coach will have 10 seconds to pick an outfield player to leave the pitch for a minute.

If no one is selected, the captain must leave the field.

The nominated player will then be required to remain off the field for a minimum of one minute after the restart of play.

The aim is to ensure genuine injuries continue to receive appropriate medical attention while removing any potential sporting advantage associated with stoppages.

English football will continue to monitor the trial throughout the season, alongside IFAB and other stakeholders, to assess its effectiveness in supporting game flow while maintaining the highest standards of player welfare.

The trial could feature for the first time in the Carabao Cup preliminary round.

In November, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" and break up play.

In December, Gary Neville suggested that Newcastle's Aaron Ramsdale went to ground against Manchester United after an instruction from Lewis Hall, which came from Magpies boss Eddie Howe.

Luke Shaw was waiting to take a throw-in for United in the eighth minute at the time of the stoppage, and Neville offered his theory behind the break in play.

"I am going to be a little bit cynical, I might be proven completely wrong but I think Eddie Howe told Lewis Hall to tell [Aaron] Ramsdale to go down," Neville said.

"I think there's a message gone on and I think they are changing on the back of what United are doing.

"Look at what Lewis Hall is doing. I think Eddie Howe said 'stop the game'."

Manchester United had earlier taken the lead through Patrick Dorgu, with the match finishing 1-0.

Meanwhile, in March, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler criticised David Raya for appearing to take a tactical timeout.