League of Ireland to introduce Goalkeeper Injury Trial Protocol
The League of Ireland will introduce a new Goalkeeper Injury Trial Protocol across the League of Ireland Men’s Premier Division, Men’s First Division, Women’s Premier Division and Cup fixtures from Friday, 11 September 2026.
The trial has been developed following consultation with The International Football Association Board (IFAB), referees, clubs, players and key stakeholders. It is intended to support the flow and tempo of matches, reduce unnecessary delays and ensure goalkeeper injury stoppages are managed fairly and consistently.
Under the trial, where play is stopped because a goalkeeper requires assessment or treatment on the field of play, the team’s coach will be required to nominate an eligible outfield player to leave the field immediately. That player must remain off the field for one minute after play restarts.
The approach mirrors the existing Law that applies when an outfield player receives assessment or treatment on the field of play and is required to leave the field for one minute after the restart.
A number of important exceptions apply. For example, the protocol will not apply where a free kick is awarded for a foul on the goalkeeper and the goalkeeper requires immediate treatment, where the goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and both require attention, where the goalkeeper is bleeding, or where a severe injury requires immediate treatment.
The protocol will also not apply where the goalkeeper indicates that medical attention is not required, unless play has been stopped because of the injury.
Where the trial applies, the coach will have 10 seconds to nominate the outfield player who will leave the field. If no player is nominated within that period, the team captain will automatically become the player required to leave. The nominated player must leave immediately and may return only with the referee’s permission once the one-minute period has elapsed.
If the goalkeeper is the captain, a designated outfield player must be nominated before kick-off to leave the field in such circumstances.
The League of Ireland has circulated detailed guidance and frequently asked questions to clubs, players, coaches, match officials, media and other stakeholders ahead of the trial’s introduction.
The trial will be monitored closely over the coming weeks, with feedback sought from referees, clubs, coaches, players, observers and other relevant stakeholders. This feedback will help inform the ongoing review of how the protocol operates in practice.
