Leeds United among clubs in Premier League trial to curb goalkeeper timeouts | OneFootball

Leeds United and their Premier League rivals will trial a crackdown on goalkeeper tactical timeouts next season, targeting stoppages used for on-field team talks.

The FA said in a statement that, if a goalkeeper needs treatment on the pitch, the manager has 10 seconds to nominate an outfield player to leave for at least one minute and inform the fourth official. If no decision is made inside 10 seconds, the captain will be removed. The trial aims to reduce momentum-sapping stoppages while safeguarding genuine injuries.

The issue repeatedly irked Leeds. Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma was first after Daniel Farke’s side rallied from 2-0 to 2-2 before losing 3-2, and Farke accused him of feigning injury to bend the rules. Sunderland’s Melker Ellborg did so in a 1-0 win at Elland Road, while Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez went down on a teammate’s instruction during their FA Cup semi-final victory over the Whites.

Exceptions apply when a foul on the goalkeeper immediately requires treatment, when the keeper and an outfield player collide, or when the keeper is bleeding. The trial will be monitored across the season alongside IFAB and other stakeholders to balance flow and player welfare. A similar attempt to keep teams from the dugout during goalkeeper stoppages at this summer’s World Cup went only so far, and these measures go further.

Further tweaks mirror the major tournament. Officials may use a five-second countdown to deter delays at throw-ins or goal kicks. Substituted players will face a 10-second limit to leave the pitch, with any delay holding up the incoming player’s entry.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk