Premier League introduces trial to curb goalkeeper injury tactic and speed up play

Sunderland fans will notice new refereeing measures next month, led by a trial targeting goalkeeper injury stoppages.

The Premier League confirmed IFAB has approved a 2026/27 trial across the men's and women's professional game. When a goalkeeper receives physio treatment, a head coach must nominate an outfielder to leave the pitch for one minute once play restarts.

The change follows a rise in stoppages to slow momentum or relay tactics, because goalkeepers do not have to leave the field when treated.

Exceptions apply if the goalkeeper is fouled and needs immediate treatment, is bleeding, or collides with an opponent. The trial will be reviewed before any decision on permanence.

Further curbs include a five-second countdown for delaying set plays, and a 10-second limit for substituted players to leave the pitch. Both were used at the recent World Cup.

Hair-pulling guidance has been reset after high-profile reds last season, including Sunderland’s Dan Ballard at Molineux. A yellow will be shown if there is no excessive force or brutality, a red only for clear, deliberate pulling with excessive force or brutality.

Referees are also asked to persist with a restrained approach to handball, tighten up on holding at set plays, and penalise blocking that prevents goalkeepers moving towards the ball.

VAR can now review incidents where a second yellow becomes a red, but will not intervene for potential second yellows. The league has opted against adding errors such as wrongly awarded corners.

Source: Sunderland Echo