English football to trial rule on goalkeeper timeouts

English football is set to trial a new rule next season designed to curb the controversial practice of teams using goalkeeper injuries to gain a tactical timeout, pending approval from the sport's global rule-making body. The trial, agreed upon by the Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League, and Women's Super League, would require a team to remove an outfield player for one minute if their goalkeeper receives on-pitch treatment.

Under the proposed system, if a referee signals for a physio to treat a goalkeeper, the team's coach will have 10 seconds to nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch. If no player is selected within that time, the team captain must leave the field for one minute. This mirrors the existing rule for outfield players who receive treatment. The measure is intended as a proactive deterrent against what has become a frequent and criticized tactic, where goalkeepers appear to feign or exaggerate injuries, allowing their teammates to gather near the touchline for tactical instructions and disrupting the opposing team's momentum.

The move follows frustration from managers, pundits, and fans over numerous high-profile...