The new rule could put an end to Man City's time-wasting tactics.

This proposal is set to be reviewed during the IFAB annual conference scheduled for January 20, 2026.

Time-wasting tactics in football have once again become a hot topic of debate, as lawmakers consider a groundbreaking change that could directly impact the playing style of many teams, including Manchester City in the 13th round of the Premier League recently.

Recently, many teams have been criticized for using the tactic of goalkeepers lying down for treatment to disrupt the flow of the game. This is seen as a loophole in the current rule, where outfield players must leave the field within 30 seconds after receiving medical attention, but goalkeepers are exempt from this rule.

This inadvertently turns the time goalkeepers spend receiving medical treatment into an opportunity for the whole team to hold tactical discussions, giving coaches a chance to make adjustments without any personnel disadvantages.

Manchester City is the latest team accused of using this tactic in their recent match against Leeds United last weekend. Gianluigi Donnarumma’s need for medical attention in the second half created a window for Pep Guardiola to give tactical instructions, just as Man City was under heavy pressure from their opponents. Although Guardiola denies any cheating, this situation is not uncommon and is increasingly becoming a trend in modern football.

In response, IFAB and technical advisory panels have spent considerable time discussing strong measures to prevent deliberate time-wasting. One widely supported proposal is to require any player from the team whose goalkeeper is being treated to leave the field for 30 seconds until the referee allows re-entry. The coach would decide which player leaves, causing debates about fairness and tactics.

Another option under consideration is to prohibit players from approaching the sidelines during stoppages for goalkeeper treatment. This aims to limit coaches from using dead time to quickly confer with their players.

Although still debated, if approved, these changes could mark a significant turning point in reducing time-wasting, helping matches flow more continuously and transparently. Experts and fans alike await IFAB’s final decision at the early 2026 meeting.

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