Engelse test to stop fake goalkeeper injuries: field player benched

Engelse football authorities will likely introduce a new experiment next season designed to stop goalkeepers from faking injuries, requiring a teammate to leave the pitch for a minute whenever the keeper receives treatment, a rule first reported by BBC and The Athletic today.

Vandaag the proposal was outlined: if a goalkeeper must be treated, a teammate must exit the field for exactly one minute, preventing the keeper from feigning injury to disrupt play.

The measure originates from the referees organisation Pro Ref, which was previously known as PGMOL, and is being trialled as a temporary rule.

Pro Ref is led by Howard Webb, who oversees the implementation of the experiment on behalf of the refereeing body.

The initiative was launched at the request of FIFA-scheidsrechtersbaas Pierluigi Collina, the FIFA referee chief, who sought a solution to stop goalkeepers from pretending to be injured.

When the referee signals the physio to attend the keeper, the coach has ten seconds to select a field player who will watch from the sideline for a minute; if no name is given, the captain is automatically chosen.

The rule includes exceptions: it does not apply if the goalkeeper is bleeding, suffers a serious injury requiring substitution, collides with a field player, or is the victim of a foul.

If IFAB gives timely approval, the first match to use the rule will be the cup tie between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale AFC in five days.

Should the experiment prove successful, the regulation could be made permanent for the 2027/28 season.