Online Reporter
ENGLISH football is set to trial a new rule in a bid to prevent goalkeepers “bending rules” by going down for treatment.
Last season saw plenty of instances in which goalkeepers were seen by a physio on the pitch, allowing team-mates to receive instructions from their managers and breaking up the action.
When an outfielder is seen by the physio, they must leave the field – unless an opponent has been carded for the challenge that caused the injury.
The rule was taken on ahead of the 2023/24 campaign but goalkeepers had been immune and could get treatment on the pitch.
According to the BBC, however, that is about to change.
They report that the PGMOL have opted to trial a system that will see teams have to nominate an outfield player to go off for one minute if their goalkeeper has had treatment.
If no player has been selected within 10 seconds, the captain will be forced off.
The trial is subject to being approved by global refereeing body IFAB.
It is set to be used across the Premier League, English Football League, Women’s Super League and National League.
The trial could begin as soon as Saturday, when Tranmere host Rochdale in the Carabao Cup preliminary round.
After Gianluigi Donnarumma went down during a clash between Leeds and Manchester City last November, Whites boss Daniel Farke said: “If we don’t educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally.
“But if it is within the rules I can’t complain.”
In February last year, Bolton boss Steven Schumacher even admitted to using the ploy as a deliberate tactic.
Schumacher said: “I can’t complain about it because I have done it myself, so I’m not immune to it.
“It’s a ploy, a tactic that kills the momentum of the game when the opposition is on top and if you time it right you can really affect the game and there’s a chance to get your team in.
“It happens pretty much in every game now, even in the Champions League. I was laughing last week watching one of the Champions League games and thinking ‘we’ll it’s not just in England then,’ so it’s just part of the game now.”
After using the tactic last season, Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley admitted: “My thoughts are, to be completely honest with you, I think it’s wrong, there’s an element of embarrassment when you do it.
“Schuey was the same last weekend, but why would you not? I’m here to get results for this football club so if there is something I can do to help that I’m going to do it.
“Do I feel like it should be taken away from us as coaches? Yeah. There should be a caveat to that.
“That’s my feelings, but whilst I can do something to help our football team I will do it.” – Sun
