The Football Association and the International Football Association Board will trial a new rule to penalize goalkeepers who feign injury [1].
This measure targets tactical time-wasting, a persistent issue that disrupts the pace of professional matches and affects the overall flow of the game [1]. By introducing penalties for simulated injuries, officials aim to ensure that match momentum is not artificially halted by players seeking a strategic advantage [1].
The trial is scheduled for the 2026/27 football season [1]. It will be implemented across a broad spectrum of English football, including the Premier League, the English Football League, the National League, and the Women's Super League [1].
This initiative is supported by the Premier League and the aforementioned leagues to create a more consistent application of the laws of the game. The rule specifically focuses on instances where goalkeepers simulate distress to slow down the opposition or allow their teammates to recover, a practice that has long frustrated coaches and fans alike.
Under the guidance of the IFAB, the trial will monitor how the new penalties influence player behavior and game duration. While the specific nature of the penalties was not detailed in the announcement, the objective remains the deterrence of deceptive play [1].
The FA said the rule is intended to maintain the integrity of the competition by reducing unnecessary stoppages. This move aligns with wider efforts in the sport to increase effective playing time and reduce the impact of gamesmanship on the final result [1].
“The trial is scheduled for the 2026/27 football season.”
This trial represents a shift toward stricter enforcement of 'effective playing time.' By targeting goalkeepers—who are uniquely positioned to halt play through injury simulations—the FA and IFAB are attempting to remove a common tactical loophole used to protect leads or break an opponent's momentum.
