The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women’s Super League have agreed on the measure, with permission granted by the International Football Association Board (Ifab).
Pro Ref, led by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, had been in discussions with the leagues to determine how to tackle the issue. It settled on a team having to remove an outfield player from the pitch.
The opening game of the Premier League season will see Arsenal begin its title defense at home against newly promoted Coventry on Aug. 21. Count to 10 Under the trial, if a game is stopped because of a goalkeeper injury, the FA said the head coach “will be required to nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch immediately. The nominated player is required to remain off the field for a minimum of one minute after the restart of play.” Domestic media reports said if the coach fails to nominate a player within 10 seconds of the referee indicating the goalkeeper can receive medical treatment on the field, the captain of the goalkeeper’s team will automatically be the chosen player.
Exceptions include collisions and bleeding The FA said the trial “will operate with a number of exceptions, including where a free kick is awarded for a foul on the goalkeeper and they immediately require treatment, the goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need attention, or the goalkeeper is bleeding.”
The first game to feature the trial will be the Carabao Cup preliminary round tie between Tranmere and Rochdale on Saturday. Australian A-League will try a variation with the captain always having to leave the field.
The tactic of gaining a timeout as the keeper is treated has become increasingly common and controversial in recent seasons.
“The aim is to ensure genuine injuries continue to receive appropriate medical attention while removing any potential sporting advantage associated with stoppages,” a joint statement read.
