Goalkeeper injuryGoalkeeper injury

Background

The trial addresses the use of tactical goalkeeper injuries to stop/disrupt play and/or create an opportunity for coaches to communicate instructions or tactics.

Unlike outfield players, goalkeepers who are assessed or treated on the field are not required to leave the field, meaning there is little deterrent against unnecessary/tactical requests for treatment.

These stoppages can:

• disrupt the flow and tempo of the match.
• give the goalkeeper’s team an unfair tactical advantage.
• provide an opportunity for coaches to give their players instructions.

Trial protocol

When an out-field player must leave

Subject to the exceptions listed later, an outfield player must leave the field when:

• play is stopped because of an actual or suspected goalkeeper injury or
• the referee signals for medical staff to enter the field for an injured goalkeeper.
• the goalkeeper requests on-field medical attention after being asked by the referee.

The out-field player must leave immediately and remain off until play has restarted and one minute has elapsed. 

One-minute period

• The one minute starts when play restarts.
• It is measured using a running clock.
• The referee determines when the one minute has elapsed.
• The player may return only with the referee’s permission.
• If the ball is in play, the player must re-enter from the touchline.
• If the ball is out of play, they may re-enter from any boundary line.

If play restarts and the goalkeeper needs further treatment before the one minute has elapsed, the player remains off and the one-minute period starts again from the next restart. 

Exceptions

A player does not have to leave when:

• The goalkeeper says they do not need medical attention, unless play was stopped for the injury.
• The goalkeeper and an outfield player collide and both need attention.
• There is a severe injury, especially a head injury, cardiac issue or life-threatening event.
• The goalkeeper is bleeding.
• The goalkeeper is injured by a physical offence for which a free kick is awarded and needs immediate treatment.

Trial variations

Protocol A – Captain leaves

• The team captain must leave the field.
• If the goalkeeper is the captain, another player must be nominated before kick-off and should wear an identifying armband.
• If a penalty kick has been awarded and the captain is the kicker, another player must leave instead.

Protocol B – Coach nominates a player

• The coach has ten seconds to nominate an outfield player to leave.
• The ten seconds start:
• once the referee has signalled for the medical staff to enter the field of play or
• the referee/fourth official has instructed the coach to nominate a player to leave the field because play was stopped for a goalkeeper injury but the goalkeeper then indicated that they did not require treatment
• If a penalty kick has been awarded, the penalty taker cannot be nominated.
• If the coach does not nominate a player by the end of the ten seconds, the captain automatically leaves.