In the 2026/2027 season, an experiment with new rules aimed at combating simulation of injuries by goalkeepers and intentional time-wasting will start in English football. This was announced by the Football Association (FA) of England. The changes have been approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and will be applied in all professional men's and women's tournaments in England, including the Premier League, the English Football League, the Women's Super League, and the National League. The main goal of the innovation is to deprive teams of the opportunity to use stoppages in play for rest, disrupting the opponent's rhythm, or receiving additional tactical instructions from the coaching staff. According to the new rules, if a match is stopped due to a goalkeeper's injury and he is allowed to receive medical assistance on the field, the head coach must select a field player to leave the field within ten seconds. After the game resumes, this player will not be able to return immediately and must remain off the field for at least one minute. Thus, the team will temporarily play with ten players. If the coach fails to name a player within the allotted time, the captain of the team with the injured goalkeeper will automatically leave the field. However, the rules provide for several exceptions. The punishment will not apply if medical assistance is required after a foul against the goalkeeper, if both the goalkeeper and a field player are injured in a collision, or in the case of bleeding from the goalkeeper. The first match to test the new system will be the EFL Cup meeting between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale. If the experiment proves successful, the practice may become more widespread. The new season of the English Premier League starts on August 21. In the opening match, the reigning champion — London’s Arsenal — will host the newly promoted Coventry City.
