English football authorities are taking extreme measures to eradicate tactical delays. According to an official statement released by the Premier League, a groundbreaking rule has been approved by the IFAB for the 2026/2027 season to completely halt intentional time wasting by goalkeepers.
// Related stories
Enjoyed this article?
Get more compelling stories delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter for free!
Subscribe Sekarang →Based on the new directive, an outfield player chosen by the coach must leave the field for at least one minute if play is stopped due to a goalkeeper's injury. The league explicitly noted that this measure targets situations where "injuries of goalkeepers have been used to break momentum, slow down the game or create opportunities to give tactical instructions."
Several critical exceptions apply to the regulation. According to tournament organizers, the penalty will be waived in cases of accidental collisions between the goalkeeper and another player, instances involving bleeding, or fouls committed directly against the goalkeeper that require immediate medical attention.
The upcoming trial will span the entire season across major English leagues, covering both men's and women's professional tiers. Additional measures are also planned to improve overall match flow, including a strict five-second referee countdown for deliberate delays on restarts and a ten-second limit for substituted players.