English football has received the green light from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to trial a new rule aimed at preventing goalkeepers from using injury stoppages as a tactical tool, with the experiment set to begin at the Carabao Cup opener on August 1.

Under the trial, when play is halted for a goalkeeper injury, the manager or head coach must immediately nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch. That player must remain off the field for at least one minute after play resumes.

How the rule works

The Football Association stated the measure targets situations where goalkeeper injuries have been exploited to "disrupt momentum, slow the game down or create opportunities for tactical instruction." Exceptions apply in cases where a free kick is awarded for a foul directly on the goalkeeper, where both the goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and require attention, or where the goalkeeper is bleeding.

England's professional refereeing body Pro Ref — formerly known as PGMOL — evaluated two options with the FA and the relevant leagues before settling on the nominated-player approach. The rule will cover both men's and women's professional leagues in England.

A separate measure will also come into effect: players being substituted will have just 10 seconds to leave the field, timed from the moment of substitution, across the professional game from the first whistle of the new campaign.

Restarting the game quickly

Pro Ref confirmed that a five-second countdown for restarts will also be enforced as part of the broader effort to improve the flow of matches.

"English football will continue to monitor the trial throughout the season, alongside IFAB and other stakeholders, to assess its effectiveness in supporting game flow while maintaining the highest standards of player welfare," the FA said in a statement.

The rule comes after several high-profile incidents last season. Brighton and Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler publicly criticised Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya after the Spaniard received treatment three separate times during a crucial 1-0 Premier League victory for Arsenal in the title race.

FIFA's refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina has also instructed officials at this summer's tournament to prevent players from visiting the technical area during treatment stoppages — a parallel crackdown on time-wasting at the international level.