FIFA Prepares New Rule Requiring Injured Players to Wait One Minute Before Re-entering Field

London. The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is preparing to introduce a new rule to speed up the pace of football matches and curb time-wasting tendencies. Under the proposed new arrangement, players treated for injuries on the field will now have to wait at least one minute outside the field before returning to the game.

The annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), scheduled for Saturday, is likely to pass this and various other proposed reforms. Under the current rules, there is no specified time limit for how long an injured player must remain off the field. FIFA is taking this step because some players have been feigning injuries to waste time, taking advantage of the current ambiguity.

According to FIFA's Head of Referees, Pierluigi Collina, such a rule is deemed necessary to maintain the flow of the game and reduce unnecessary interruptions. Previously, FIFA tested a two-minute rule during the Arab Cup held in December. Similarly, in the American Major League Soccer, there is a rule that if a player lies on the field for more than 15 seconds and a physio has to be called, they must remain outside for a specified time.

The English Premier League has already implemented its own 30-second rule starting from the 2023-24 season. Although there was an agreement in principle during the IFAB meeting in January to set a specific time for injured players, there was a dispute over the exact duration. As some opposed the two-minute duration as being too long, an agreement now appears to be emerging around the one-minute proposal.

If this rule is implemented, it is expected that the tendency for players to spend excessive time on the field for minor injuries will decrease, and spectators will witness a more thrilling and uninterrupted game.

If Saturday's meeting officially decides to incorporate this rule into the Laws of the Game, its impact will be visible in competitions worldwide starting from the next season.