Soccer fans are fed up with referees being forced to pause games after opposing goalkeepers go down with what appears to be an injury, but lawmakers are trying to eradicate the problem.
Tactical timeouts may soon be a thing of the past (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
A new law aimed at preventing goalkeepers from feigning injury to force tactical time-outs could be trialled in English football as early as this weekend. The much-maligned time-out has become increasingly common in recent seasons, with cases in which a keeper appeared to be injured, forcing the referee to abandon the match according to the current rulebook.
Physiotherapists then entered the field and treated the goaltender before the game resumed for another phase, halting the flow of play and allowing players to speak with coaches during breaks in play. This does not apply to outfielders undergoing treatment. After play resumes, outfielders must wait on the sideline until the referee gives them the signal to return.
But the new law will change that. According to BBC Sport, if the referee signals that a physiotherapist may come in to treat the goalkeeper, the team manager must name an outfielder and leave the pitch for one minute. If the manager does not select a player within 10 seconds, a team captain will be automatically selected.
The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women’s Super League have all agreed to the legislation. However, permission from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) is first required.
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The IFAB decided earlier this year not to amend the law and instead called on leagues to volunteer their time in the trial. If given the green light in England, the law could come into force for the first time in Saturday’s Carabao Cup qualifying round match between Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale at Prenton Park.
In November, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of faking an injury to “bend the rules” during a match at the Etihad Stadium. “Everyone knows why he went down,” Falke insisted after the match.
“That’s not the elephant in the room. It’s obvious why he went down. It’s within the rules. That’s smart. What if I like it? What if it’s within fair play?”
What do you think about the new law? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
History could be made at Prenton Park on Saturday (Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“If something like this happens, I will remain silent. It is up to the authorities to find a solution. I will ask the fourth official at this time if he will do anything. Our hands are tied.”
“Personally, I don’t like it if we don’t educate our players on what to do in terms of fair play, sportsmanship, etc., and they just try to bend the rules in order to have additional team discussions, or even fake injuries. But if it’s within the rules, I can’t complain.”
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