Three new measures to reduce time-wasting in the EFL this season

One of them is a goalkeeper injury trial, which English football has received approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to introduce for 2026/27 as part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining the pace and flow of matches.

The trial, championed collectively by Pro Ref, the FA, Premier League, EFL, WSL Football and the National League, will be implemented across the men's and women's professional game in England.

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It is designed to address occasions where goalkeeper injuries have been used to disrupt momentum, slow the game down or create opportunities for tactical instruction.

From the start of the 2026/27 season, a five-second countdown will also be utilised as a time-management tool for match officials where players are deemed to unfairly delay the taking of a throw-in or goal kick.

Furthermore, a 10-second time limit for players leaving the pitch when substituted will be in operation across the professional game from the first whistle of the forthcoming campaign in the Carabao Cup this Saturday.

The goalkeeper injury trial comes into force after it became blatantly clear last season that managers and head coaches had found a way to get a break in play to disrupt the flow of the opposition.

Outfield players who received treatment on the pitch had to go off the pitch and stand on the touchline for 30 seconds before being allowed back on, but that rule did not apply to goalkeepers.

So it became a widely used ploy by all clubs - Argyle included - to get a break in play and for tactical instructions to be given to players.

Now, the goalkeeper injury trial is designed to stop that. The Football Association said: "As part of the trial, if the game is stopped for a goalkeeper injury, the manager/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. The aim is to ensure genuine injuries continue to receive appropriate medical attention while removing any potential sporting advantage associated with stoppages.

"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.

"English football will continue to monitor the trial throughout the season, alongside IFAB and other stakeholders, to assess its effectiveness in supporting game flow while maintaining the highest standards of player welfare.

"This builds on a series of measures introduced across the professional game to increase ball-in-play time and reduce unnecessary delays, including the goalkeeper eight-second rule which was successfully implemented last season. "

Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley spoke openly about the tactical timeouts caused by goalkeepers going down to the ground for treatment after his side's 1-0 win at Barnsley in April.

He said: "My thoughts are completely honest with you. I think it's wrong, there's an element of embarrassment when you do it.

"Schuey (Steven Schumacher) 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."

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