Leeds United boost as Premier League trial to curb keeper time-wasting confirmed | OneFootball

Leeds United and the rest of the Premier League will trial a new rule next season aimed at stamping out tactical goalkeeper timeouts.

The FA said in a statement that if a goalkeeper requires on-pitch treatment, the manager will have 10 seconds to nominate an outfield player to leave for at least one minute and inform the fourth official. If no call is made in time, the captain will be the player withdrawn.

Exceptions include a free kick for a foul on the goalkeeper that immediately needs treatment, a collision between the goalkeeper and an outfielder requiring attention, or the goalkeeper bleeding. The trial will be monitored through the season with IFAB and others to balance game flow and player welfare.

Leeds have been repeatedly angered by such stoppages. Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma did so 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 went down during a 1-0 win at Elland Road, while Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez was instructed by a teammate to do the same in their FA Cup semi-final victory.

An attempt at this summer’s World Cup kept players away from dugouts during goalkeeper stoppages, and the new plan goes further. Other measures for 2026/27 include a five-second countdown if throw-ins or goal kicks are delayed, plus a 10-second limit for substituted players to leave the pitch or the incoming replacement will be held back.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk