Leeds United set for Premier League trial to eradicate goalkeeper timeouts next season | OneFootball

Leeds United and the rest of the Premier League will take part in a trial next season to eradicate goalkeeper tactical timeouts, the FA said.

Opposition keepers repeatedly requested treatment as team-mates dashed to the dugout. Manchester City's Gianluigi Donnarumma did so after Leeds came from 2-0 to 2-2, before losing 3-2, with Daniel Farke accusing him of feigning injury.

Sunderland's Melker Ellborg also went down during a 1-0 win at Elland Road, while Chelsea's Robert Sanchez was told by a team-mate to do the same in their FA Cup semi-final victory.

From next season, if a goalkeeper needs on-pitch treatment, the manager has 10 seconds to nominate an outfield player to leave for at least one minute, informing the fourth official. If no decision is made in 10 seconds, the captain will be withdrawn.

The changes aim to remove any advantage from stoppages while ensuring proper care for genuine injuries, with exceptions for immediate treatment after a foul, collisions requiring attention, or bleeding. The trial will be monitored with IFAB and other stakeholders.

Officials at this summer's World Cup sought to stop teams using goalkeeper stoppages to gather instructions, and these steps go further. Other tweaks for 2026/27 include a five-second countdown to curb delays at throw-ins and goal kicks, plus a 10-second countdown for substituted players to leave, or the incoming player's introduction is delayed.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk