IFAB weighs rule to curb 'tactical timeouts' from keeper treatment
Football's lawmakers are considering forcing an outfield player to leave the pitch when a goalkeeper is treated, closing a loophole that can pause play for tactics.
Football's lawmakers are weighing changes to curb a tactic that acts like a tactical timeout during matches. A potential rule would require an outfield player to leave the field when a goalkeeper receives treatment, with the aim of keeping play flowing and preventing rule-bending strategies.
In a recent high-profile Premier League clash, a goalkeeper required treatment and the opposing team's manager used the stoppage to relay instructions to his players. The pause lasted around two minutes, highlighting how teams have exploited such breaks to reset tactics.
Since the 2023/24 season, players other than the goalkeeper who receive treatment must leave the pitch for 30 seconds. The current debate centers on extending a similar approach to goalkeepers when they need on-pitch care, by allowing a substitute to leave the field for 30 seconds to ensure fairness and consistency with other players.
At the Football Association Board and Technical Advisory Panels meeting in October, officials discussed measures to improve the flow of play and cut unnecessary interruptions. The conversations focused on whether a goalkeeper's treatment could trigger a controlled substitute on the field to maintain rhythm and fairness.
There was broad support for making the rule explicit: if a goalkeeper is treated, a teammate could be required to leave for 30 seconds, aligning with the current rule for outfield players. Attendees recognized that goalkeepers can also suffer genuine injuries, so the rule would need careful wording to avoid penalties for legitimate stoppages.
Another idea on the table would ban players from going to the touchline during stoppages, in an effort to eliminate sideline timeouts altogether.
What happens next
The issue will be revisited at IFAB's annual business meeting on 20 January, with growing support for requiring a substituted-outfield player to manage such interruptions. Former players and pundits have floated quick rule changes to close the loophole and restore balance in matches.
Analyst Danny Murphy suggested a rapid change: if a keeper goes down, one of the outfield players should go off instead, making the stoppage fair for both sides and easier to enforce.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke acknowledged the tactic is legal but questioned its alignment with fair play, saying it raises questions about sportspersonship and how rules are applied. He stressed the need for a clear solution from the authorities to keep the game honest.
Bolton Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher has previously admitted that the tactic is used at all levels of football, noting it can disrupt momentum and influence results when timed correctly. He said the practice is widespread, even appearing in top European competitions, and called for a straightforward rule to address it.
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What are the current rules?
IFAB states that a player receiving on-pitch treatment must leave the field, with a few exceptions: the injured player is a goalkeeper, there is a collision between goalkeeper and outfield player requiring attention, players from the same team collide and need treatment, a foul results in a yellow or red card, or a penalty is awarded and the injured player will take the kick.
Expert comment: A growing consensus among officials and analysts is that closing the goalkeeper-treatment loophole could restore momentum and fairness to the game. The ruling bodies are balancing sportspersonship with the need to keep play moving.
Short summary: IFAB is actively evaluating rules to prevent goalkeeper-treatment breaks from becoming tactical timeouts. A proposed solution would require an outfield player to leave the pitch during such incidents, aligning with existing treatment rules. Other ideas include banning touchline visits during stoppages, with decisions expected at the next IFAB meeting.
Key insight: closing the goalkeeper-treatment loophole could preserve game flow and fairness by standardizing stoppages across positions. Source