Three new law changes have been approved for the upcoming 2026/27 season of the Isuzu UTE A-League and Ninja A-League, including two groundbreaking trials aimed at improving the game. Jon Moss, the Head of Referees for Football Australia, discussed these changes with James Dodd, a Senior Reporter for aleagues.com.au.

New Protocols to Address Goalkeeper Timeouts

One significant issue that has emerged in football is the deliberate injury timeout taken by goalkeepers to disrupt the flow of the game and provide tactical instructions to teammates. In response, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has developed two protocols to combat this behavior, one of which will be trialed in the A-Leagues this season.

The A-Leagues will implement Protocol A, which requires the team captain to leave the field for one minute when a goalkeeper goes down with a non-impact injury, such as cramp. Moss explained that this rule is designed to address situations where a goalkeeper appears to be injured without any contact. When a trainer is called onto the field, the captain must exit the game for a minute, starting from when play resumes. They may return with the referee's permission after that time.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are specific exceptions to this protocol. If a goalkeeper remains down due to a foul that has been called by the referee, the captain is not required to leave the field. Additionally, if the captain is the goalkeeper, teams will need to designate another player to exit the field in such cases. Situations involving injuries from challenges, blood, or concussions will also exempt the captain from leaving the pitch.

These new law changes reflect a commitment to enhancing the integrity and flow of the game in the A-Leagues, with the hope that they will lead to a more dynamic and fair playing environment for all teams involved.