English football to introduce ‘ridiculous’ new ‘time-wasting’ rule as part of trial next season

The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women's Super League have all agreed on the trial.

The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women's Super League have all united on the measure and now need permission from the International Football Association Board (Ifab).

Only earlier this year, Ifab opted against changing the law, instead inviting leagues to volunteer for trials.

Pro Ref, led through chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, has since been in discussions with the leagues to determine how the rising issue can be tackled.

Resultantly, they settled on a team having to remove an outfield player from the field.

If a referee signals that the physio can come on to treat a goalkeeper, the coach will then have 10 seconds to make a decision on another player to leave the pitch for one minute, telling the fourth official of the choice made.

If no player has been selected within 10 seconds, the captain must automatically leave the field.

If clearance is received by the Ifab in time, the first game that the trial will used will be the Carabao Cup preliminary round tie between Tranmere and Rochdale on Saturday, 1 August.

People on social media have already been reacting to the trial, with many far from pleased.

One user said: "What a sad indictment of football clubs that they have to bring stuff like this in. Should yellow card the keeper, captain and coach every time it happens. It would soon stop."

Meanwhile another person commented: "So doesn’t stop a keeper feigning injury to stop momentum & let everyone still go have a tactical team talk on the sidelines as the striker will just go stand (rest) on the sidelines for a minute!! Any player goes down needing treatment. All players stay away from sidelines."

Although, one commenter did see the bright side and wrote: "Arsenal cheat codes are all being wiped this season, no fouling during corners anymore and now this, I like it."