League to trial new time-wasting rule as Arsenal star David Raya draws complaints

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A clampdown on goalkeepers feigning injury in order to allow team-mates to take on instructions could soon come into effect, with the Women's Super League set to trial a new measure next season.

Incidents involving goalkeepers receiving treatment during games have been coming under increasing scrutiny during the 2025-26 campaign, particularly among fans on social media and pundits. The Premier League has not been immune, with Fabian Hurzeler complaining following Brighton's 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal on Wednesday night.

The Seagulls head coach became the latest figure to speak out on time-wasting after David Raya received treatment on three separate occasions. He accused the Gunners of deliberately eating up the clock in their bid to see out a result, with Raya's treatment enabling players to take on instructions on the touchline.

With scrutiny growing over goalkeeper timeouts, an initiative designed to discourage teams from using such tactics will be trialled in the WSL next season, The Times report.

In of the 2026-27 campaign, WSL teams will have to remove an outfield player from the field for one minute if their goalkeeper receives medical treatment, a measure raised at last weekend's annual International FA Board (Ifab) meeting.

It has yet to be determined how the player being removed is to be decided, with the possibility of the team's head coach being the one to decide who is sacrificed.

Under current regulations, injured players who receive treatment must leave the pitch for 30 seconds before being allowed to participate in the game again. That only applies to outfield players, though, with goalkeeper stoppages presenting teams with the opportunity to have a break mid-match.

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“I think there was only one team who tried to play football today,” Hurzeler said as he fumed over “I ask one question: Did you see in the Premier League game a goalkeeper going down three times? No?

“In the end it’s about the rules, so if the Premier League, if the referee ­allows everything, then it’s difficult; then they make their own rules. So at the moment, I have the feeling they are doing their own rules, no matter how they are playing.

“I will never be that kind of manager, who tries to win in that way. I want to do well, I want my players to keep improving, keep playing football on the pitch, and in the end, of course, every team will manage and waste time.

“But I think there has to be a limit, and the limit has to be set by the Premier League, the limit has to be set by the referees. At the moment, they just do what they want.”

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