FIFA is shaking things up again. Players who get treatment for injuries could soon be forced to stay off the field for a full minute. The proposal is set to be approved at the International Football Association Board (Ifab) meeting this Saturday.
Right now, there's no official rule about how long injured players must stay on the sidelines. Leagues can make their own decisions. The Premier League has used a 30-second rule since the 2023-24 season.
FIFA actually tested a two-minute rule at the Arab Cup in December. But that didn't go down well with everyone. Major League Soccer uses a similar approach when a player stays down for more than 15 seconds and needs the physio.
Why Leagues Are Worried About the New Rule
The one-minute proposal is supposed to be a compromise. But clubs and leagues still have serious concerns about what could happen. FIFA's referees' chief Pierluigi Collina says the rule will reduce time-wasting and keep the game flowing.
Manchester United know the problem firsthand. Last season, Matthijs de Ligt had to leave the field with a cut. While he was off, Brentford scored from a corner. United were furious about it.
The fear is simple. One minute is a long time to play with 10 men. Teams could easily concede goals during that period. Even the current 30-second rule frustrates fans when goals happen during those moments.
For anyone placing bets on matches, this could be huge. More goals scored against 10 men means more unpredictability. Late-game injury stoppages could become crucial moments for in-play betting. The dynamics of defending set pieces with a man down could shift completely.
There are some exceptions to the rule. If the opponent gets a yellow or red card, the injured player can stay on. Goalkeepers don't have to leave either. And penalty takers can remain on the pitch.
Other Changes Coming to Football
The one-minute injury rule isn't the only change on the table. Ifab is expected to approve new countdown timers for goal-kicks and throw-ins. Take too long and possession switches to the other team.
Substituted players will get just 10 seconds to leave the pitch. If they don't make it in time, their replacement can't come on until the next stoppage. That stoppage must be at least 60 seconds later, meaning teams could be forced to play with 10 men.
Video assistant referees will be allowed to review wrongly awarded second yellow cards. And corners might get VAR reviews too, though that's optional for competitions. The Canadian Premier League is likely to trial Arsene Wenger's daylight offside rule as well.
One thing Ifab won't tackle is the tactical timeout. That's when a goalkeeper goes down off the ball so the coach can relay instructions. Despite lengthy discussions, no solution has been agreed upon yet.
