The Women’s Super League will trial new measures next season to stop teams taking advantage of goalkeeper time-outs amid increased scrutiny over time-wasting tactics.
David Raya receiving treatment during Arsenal’s win over Brighton (Image: Simon Dack/TPI/Shutterstock)
A crackdown on goalkeepers faking injury to give instructions to teammates could soon come into force, with the Women’s Super League set to trial new measures from next season.
Incidents involving goalkeepers receiving medical treatment during matches have come under increasing scrutiny during the 2025-26 season, especially among fans and experts on social media. The Premier League was also unaffected, with Fabian Hürzeler complaining after Brighton lost 1-0 at home to Arsenal on Wednesday night.
The Seagulls’ head coach has become the latest person to speak out about wasting time after David Raya underwent treatment on three separate occasions. He said Raya’s treatment had allowed players to receive instructions on the touchline and accused the Gunners of deliberately wasting time to determine the outcome.
Amid increased scrutiny over goalkeeper time-outs, the Times has reported that an initiative to prevent teams from using such tactics will be trialled in next season’s WSL.
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Starting in the 2026-27 season, WSL teams will be required to remove their outfield players from the field for one minute if a goalkeeper receives medical treatment, a measure introduced at last weekend’s International FA Board (Ifab) annual meeting.
How the players to be eliminated will be determined has not yet been decided, with the team’s head coach potentially deciding on the victims.
Under current regulations, if an injured player receives treatment, he must leave the pitch for 30 seconds before playing again. However, this only applies to outfield players, and the goalkeeper’s stops give the team the opportunity to take a break mid-game.
Hürzeler was furious at what he perceived to be a tactic that wasted Arsenal’s time (Image: Getty Images)
“I think there was only one team that tried to play football today,” Hürzeler said indignantly, “I have one question: Have you ever seen a goalkeeper go down three times in a Premier League game? No?”
“Ultimately it’s a matter of rules, so if the Premier League allows referees to do everything, it’s difficult. In that case, they make their own rules. So at the moment I feel like they’re following their own rules, regardless of how they’re playing.”
“I will never be the kind of manager who tries to win in that way. I want to do well and I want the players to continue to develop and continue to play football on the pitch. And of course in the end you will manage any team and waste your time.”
“But I think there should be limits. Limits have to be set by the Premier League, limits have to be set by referees. At the moment they’re just doing what they want to do.”
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