Published on 4/30/2026
Controversy has escalated in football circles over some goalkeepers resorting to claiming injury to stop play, a behavior that is seen as a tactical means of wasting time or giving the technical staff an opportunity to reorganize the team during periods of pressure.
These criticisms were renewed during the semi-final match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Wembley Stadium, when Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez sat inside the penalty area asking for treatment, at a time when his team was ahead (1-0) and subjected to continuous attacks. The stop angered Leeds players and fans, even though there was no clear violation of the laws of the game.
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Loophole in the law
The problem is that goalkeepers are exempt from the rule that requires field players to leave the field for 30 seconds after receiving treatment, which gives their teams the advantage of maintaining full numbers. In practice, this allows the pause to be used as an “unofficial time-out,” during which the players gather around the coach to receive instructions.
This incident is not isolated, as Leeds coach Daniel Farke previously criticized a similar situation during his team’s confrontation with Manchester City, when the stoppage was used to reorganize the opposing team. Criticism also affected other cases, including the behavior of Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, in addition to complaints in women’s football about the phenomenon being repeated.
Referees are out of the equation
Refereeing experts believe that the referee does not have the authority to assess the severity of the injury, which puts him in a complicated position between protecting the players and controlling the pace of the match. They stress that it is the responsibility of the organizing bodies to address this problem, not the referees inside the stadium.
Partial solutions and new proposals
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) sought to reduce time wasting through amendments, such as requiring the goalkeeper to release the ball within 8 seconds, imposing time restrictions on the execution of set pieces, as well as extending the exit period for injured players in some cases. However, these measures do not directly address what are known as “tactical injuries” to guards.
Proposals are currently being put forward, including forcing a field player to leave the field temporarily if the goalkeeper receives treatment, or preventing players from approaching the technical area during a stop, in addition to the idea of officially legalizing “time-out.”
This phenomenon reflects the ability of teams to exploit loopholes in the laws of the game for tactical gains, presenting regulatory bodies with a constant challenge to find a balance between protecting players and maintaining fair competition. Until then, controversy will remain over the boundaries of what is legal and what is acceptable within the green rectangle.
