Football's governing body is reportedly moving closer to introducing a new regulation designed to stamp out the controversial practice of 'tactical timeouts', where goalkeepers feign injury to stop play. This follows a high-profile incident involving Leeds United manager Daniel Farke and Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma last weekend.
The Incident That Sparked the Debate
During Manchester City's 3-2 victory over Leeds on Saturday, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down, leading to a lengthy stoppage. Leeds boss Daniel Farke was incensed, accusing the Italian international of a 'fake injury' designed purely to give manager Pep Guardiola a crucial team talk while his side was protecting a narrow lead.
"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated after the match. He revealed that when he challenged the fourth official, he was told "our hands are tied". Farke criticised what he saw as a lack of sportsmanship, arguing that if the rules allow such gamesmanship, then the rules themselves must change.
The Potential Rule Change and Current Loophole
Currently, when an outfield player receives treatment, they must leave the pitch for 30 seconds after returning to play, a rule introduced in the 2023-24 season to nullify any tactical advantage. However, this rule does not apply to goalkeepers, who cannot be forced to leave their area.
According to a report by BBC Sport, a potential solution was discussed at an International Football Association Board (IFAB) advisory panel meeting in October. The proposed change could see goalkeepers who require treatment being forced to nominate an outfield player to temporarily leave the pitch in their stead, removing the incentive for fake injuries.
Other ideas floated included banning players from going to the touchline during a stoppage or handing possession to the opposing team. The issue is scheduled for further debate at IFAB's annual business meeting on January 20.
Which Premier League Teams See the Ball in Play the Least?
New data analysis, revealed by the Daily Mail Sport, shows which top-flight clubs have the lowest 'ball-in-play' time, a potential indicator of time-wasting tactics—though not a definitive one.
Tottenham Hotspur sit at the bottom of this table, with the ball in play for an average of just 52 minutes and 50 seconds per match. They are closely followed by Brentford (53 minutes 14 seconds) and Bournemouth.
Analysts caution that these figures don't automatically equate to time-wasting. Factors like a high number of fouls, or a team's specific tactics—like Brentford's elaborate long-throw routines—can legitimately reduce playing time.
Interestingly, the team with the highest ball-in-play average is Manchester City at 57 minutes and 36 seconds, the side at the centre of the recent controversy. Other teams promoting a free-flowing style include Everton (56:39) and, ironically, Daniel Farke's Leeds United (56:27).
The debate highlights a persistent tension in the modern game between gamesmanship and sportsmanship. While every team may use tactical breaks, the proposed rule change aims to close a loophole that many managers and fans feel is being exploited to unfairly manipulate the flow of the match.
