FIFA Proposes One-Minute Off-Field Rule for Treated Players
FIFA has proposed a new rule requiring players who receive on-field medical treatment to remain off the pitch for at least one minute, in a bid to reduce time-wasting and keep matches flowing.
BBC Sport reported on Monday that the proposal will be discussed at the annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which oversees the Laws of the Game.
If approved, it would become part of football’s official global rulebook.
Currently, the Laws of the Game do not mandate a specific period for injured players to stay off the field, leaving domestic leagues to set their own guidelines.
The Premier League, for example, 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, but it faced resistance, with concerns that such a long absence could unfairly disadvantage teams.
FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina said the trial aimed to discourage players from exaggerating injuries and disrupting the tempo of matches.
Major League Soccer already has a similar system, requiring players to leave the pitch temporarily if they remain on the ground for more than 15 seconds while medical staff attend to them.
IFAB members agreed in January that a fixed off-field period should be included in the Laws, though the exact duration remained under discussion.
The proposed one-minute rule is being viewed as a compromise between fairness and maintaining the pace of the game.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
