FIFA Considers One-Minute Rule for Injured Players

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is considering a rule requiring players who receive medical attention during matches to remain off the pitch for at least 1 minute to curb time-wasting and improve game flow.

According to a BBC Sport report, the proposal will be reviewed at the International Football Association Board (IFAB) annual general meeting, the body responsible for football’s laws.

If approved, the rule would be adopted globally.

Currently, there is no fixed duration mandating how long treated players must remain off the field, leaving domestic leagues to set their own standards. 

The report noted that the Premier League introduced a 30-second rule at the start of the 2023-24 season, while FIFA had earlier tested a stricter two-minute version during the Arab Cup, which faced criticism over its potential impact on teams.

FIFA’s head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, reportedly said the trials were designed to discourage players from exaggerating injuries and disrupting the tempo of matches.

A similar approach is already used in Major League Soccer, where players who stay down for more than 15 seconds and require medical attention must temporarily leave the pitch.

IFAB members had agreed in January on the need for a fixed timeframe, though discussions continued over the exact duration.

The proposed one-minute period is viewed as a middle ground between maintaining fairness and ensuring a faster-paced game.