Sunderland fans will notice a number of new refereeing initiatives when the Premier League returns next month

The Premier League have confirmed that a new initiative will be introduced in the 2026/27 campaign to try and clamp down on teams exploiting goalkeeper injuries.

Over the last two seasons there has been a surge in goalkeepers requesting treatment, either to slow the opposition momentum or to allow coaching staff to pass on tactical instructions to the rest of the team. With goalkeepers not having to leave the field when receiving treatment from the physio as outfielders do, it has become an easy way for teams to slow the game down without consequence.

This season, however, a head coach will have to nominate an outfield player when their goalkeeper requires treatment from the physio. That outfield player will then have to lave the field for one minute after the game resumes. There are some exceptions to the rule, however: when a goalkeeper is fouled and immediately requires treatment, when a goalkeeper is bleeding or when they collide with an opponent and require treatment.

The new rule will be monitored over the course of the season before a decision is made as to whether it is implemented on a permanent basis.

A statement from the Premier League said: "English football has received approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to introduce a new goalkeeper injury trial for the 2026/27 season 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 and is designed to address occasions where goalkeeper injuries have been used to disrupt momentum, slow the game down or create opportunities for tactical instruction."

The new initiative is one of a number being deployed to try and increase the pace of play next season, with a five-second countdown being introduced when a player is perceived to be slowing down an opposition set play. There will also be a 10-second limit for players leaving the pitch when substituted. Both of those initiatives were deployed at the recent World Cup.

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What else to look out for from referees in 2026/27

It had already been confirmed that a new threshold will be introduced next season for hair pulling offences after a number of controversial red cards were shown last season, including to Sunderland’s Dan Ballard at Molineux.

A yellow card will now be awarded 'if the action is deemed to be without excessive force and/or brutality.' A red card will only be issued 'when there is a clear and deliberate action to pull an opponent's hair with excessive force and/or brutality.' How VAR would have interpreted Ballard's hair pull under this new guidance is unclear, but it does demonstrate that the threshold for violent conduct has been raised ahead of the new campaign.

Elsewhere, the points of emphasis for referees include continuing to take a 'less is more' approach to penalising handball and a greater emphasis on penalising holding offences at set plays. Referees will also be encouraged to place a greater emphasis on penalising challenges that prevent the goalkeeper moving towards the ball at plays, designed to address criticism that the top tier has become too focused on grappling and set piece dominance.

Finally, there will also be a change to the use of VAR. VAR will now be able to review when a second yellow card leads to a red card, however it will not intervene for potential second yellow card offences. The Premier League has opted not to adopt an optional change whereby VAR's scope is increased, including intervening when a corner is incorrectly rewarded.

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