Premier League to curb goalkeeper injury tactic, what Sunderland fans need to know | OneFootball

Sunderland fans will notice new refereeing measures when the Premier League returns next month, led by a 2026/27 trial tackling goalkeeper injury slowdowns.

The Premier League said in a statement that IFAB has approved a goalkeeper injury trial across the men's and women's professional game in England.

If a goalkeeper receives on-field physio treatment, the head coach must nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch for one minute once play restarts.

Exceptions apply when the goalkeeper is fouled and needs immediate treatment, is bleeding, or collides with an opponent. The trial will be reviewed through the season before any permanent change.

To quicken restarts, a five-second countdown will be used for delaying an opposition set play, and substituted players will have 10 seconds to leave, mirroring the recent World Cup.

Guidance on hair pulling has been reset after several red-card flashpoints, including Sunderland’s Dan Ballard at Molineux. Yellows will cover actions without excessive force or brutality, reds only for clear, deliberate pulls with excessive force.

Referees will maintain a restrained approach to handball and be tougher on holding at set plays. They will also act on challenges that block goalkeepers moving towards the ball, amid concerns over grappling.

VAR can now review a dismissal caused by a second yellow, but not potential second yellows themselves. The league has declined to expand VAR to errors such as wrongly awarded corners.

Source: Sunderland Echo