Hallelujah! Is this the end of the tactical timeout in professional football?
English football are set to host a trial in an attempt to erase the goalkeeper tactical timeout this season.
The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women's Super League have agreed on the measure, pending permission from the International Football Association Board (Ifab), according to the BBC.
Earlier this year, Ifab decided against changing the law and invited leagues to volunteer for trials.
In the proposed trial, if a referee signals that the physio can come on to treat a goalkeeper, the coach will have 10 seconds to nominate another player to leave the pitch for one minute. If no player has been selected within 10 seconds, the captain must leave the field.
The tactic of gaining a timeout as the keeper is ‘treated’ has become irritating common in recent seasons. Coaching staff use the break to issue instructions to the other members of the team. As soon as the coach has delivered the instructions, the keeper gets up to play on.
Goalkeeper treatment has also been used to disrupt the opposition's momentum when they are on top.