FIFA Proposes One‑minute Off‑field Rule For Injured Players

FIFA has proposed a new rule that would require players who receive on-field medical treatment to remain off the pitch for at least one minute, as part of efforts to reduce time-wasting and improve the flow of matches.

According to BBC Sport on Monday, the proposal is expected to be discussed at the annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board, the body responsible for the Laws of the Game. If approved, the measure would be incorporated into football’s global rulebook.

At present, the Laws of the Game do not specify a mandatory period that injured players must stay off the field after treatment. Domestic competitions are allowed to implement their own guidelines.

“The Premier League, for instance, introduced a 30-second off-field rule at the start of the 2023–24 season.

“FIFA previously trialled a stricter two-minute rule during the Arab Cup in December. However, the proposal faced strong resistance, with concerns that a two-minute absence could unduly disadvantage teams,” BBC reported.

FIFA’s referees’ chief, Pierluigi Collina, said the trial was aimed at discouraging players from exaggerating injuries and disrupting match tempo.

A similar system is already in place in Major League Soccer, where players must temporarily leave the pitch if they remain on the ground for more than 15 seconds and medical staff are called on.

IFAB members agreed in January that a fixed time period should be written into the laws, though discussions continued over the exact duration.

The proposed one-minute rule is seen as a compromise between maintaining fairness and improving the pace of the game.