FIFA proposes one-minute off-field rule for injured players to be approved at IFAB meeting
Current Premier League rule is 30 seconds, while FIFA tested two minutes at Arab Cup
Concerns exist about negative consequences, including increased scoring chances for opponents
Several exceptions will apply, including for goalkeepers and penalty takers
Additional time-wasting measures for goalkeepers, throw-ins, and substitutions are also being considered
📖 Full Retelling
FIFA has proposed a new rule requiring injured players to leave the field for one minute of treatment, a measure designed to address tempo disruption and time-wasting in matches, with the proposal set to be approved at the International Football Association Board's annual general meeting this Saturday. Currently, there is no stipulation in the laws regarding how long injured players must remain off the pitch, allowing leagues to set their own guidelines, with the Premier League adopting a 30-second rule since the 2023-24 season. FIFA previously tested a two-minute rule at the Arab Cup in December, with referees' chief Pierluigi Collina explaining it was intended to reduce time-wasting and improve the flow of the game. However, concerns remain about potential negative consequences, as Manchester United was angered last season when Matthijs de Ligt was forced off with a cut, leading to a goal while he was sidelined. The one-minute proposal represents a compromise after strong pushback against the two-minute trial, though leagues worry about unintended consequences when teams are temporarily reduced to 10 players. Despite these concerns, several exceptions will be included, such as exempting goalkeepers, allowing penalty takers to stay on, and waiving the requirement if an opponent receives a card.
🏷️ Themes
Football rule changes, Time-wasting prevention, Game flow improvement
# Premier League
The **Premier League** is the highest level of the English football league system and the primary professional association football competition in Great Britain.
### Overview
Contested by **20 member clubs**, the league operates as a corporation in which the teams act as sharehol...
Body that determines the rules of association football
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is an international self-regulatory body of association football that is known for determining the Laws of the Game, the regulations for the gameplay of football. It was founded in 1886 in order to establish standardised regulations or "Laws" for t...
International governing body of association football
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA; lit. 'International Association Football Federation' or 'International Federation of Association Football') is an international self-regulatory governing body of association football, beach football, and futsal. It was founded on 21 May 19...
Pierluigi Collina (born 13 February 1960) is an Italian former football referee. He was named "The World's Best Referee" by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics six consecutive times from 1998 to 2003.
Collina is still involved in football as an unpaid consultant to the Ital...
Fifa wants injured players to stay off for one minute By Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent Published 8 minutes ago 4 Comments Players who receive treatment for an injury could be forced to stay off the field for one minute under proposals from Fifa. It is one of a number of measures to tackle tempo disruption and time lost which are set to be approved at the International Football Association Board annual general meeting on Saturday. At present there is no stipulation in the laws over how long injured players have to remain on the sidelines. Leagues have the right to set their own guidelines, with the Premier League adopting a 30-second rule since the 2023-24 season. Fifa held its own trials at the Arab Cup in December which required a player to stay off the field for two minutes. Fifa referees' chief Pierluigi Collina says the two-minute rule is intended to reduce time-wasting and improve the flow of the game. It mirrors an approach taken by Major League Soccer, which is triggered if a player remains on the ground for more than 15 seconds and the physio comes on. At an Ifab meeting in January it was agreed a fixed period should be added to the laws, but there was disagreement over the length of time and strong pushback against two minutes. Is VAR any better in the rest of Europe's top leagues? Published 5 days ago Football must avoid 'microscopic' VAR - Uefa refs' chief Published 13 February Canadian league set to trial Wenger's offside idea Published 20 January Leagues have concerns about unintended consequences One minute has been proposed as a halfway house, but BBC Sport understands concerns remain about negative impacts. Manchester United were angered last season when Matthijs de Ligt was forced to leave the field with a cut, and Brentford scored from a corner while he was off the pitch . The fear is a one-minute absence would make it far more likely a team could concede a goal when down to 10 players. Thirty seconds already causes frustration among s...
