FIFA has proposed that players receiving treatment for injuries should remain off the field for one minute.
The initiative is part of a series of measures aimed at protecting the flow of matches and reducing time lost to stoppages.
The proposals will be submitted to lawmakers at the annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which oversees the Laws of the Game.
Currently, the rules do not specify a minimum time an injured player must stay off the pitch after receiving treatment, leaving domestic leagues to set their own guidelines. In England, for example, the Premier League introduced a 30-second waiting period at the start of the 2023-2024 season. FIFA believes a more consistent approach is necessary.
FIFA trialed a two-minute off-field period during the Arab Cup in December, with referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina explaining that the rule is intended to limit time-wasting and maintain the game’s rhythm.
At an IFAB meeting in January, it was agreed that a fixed period should be added to the Laws of the Game, though debate continues over the exact duration, with strong opposition to the two-minute proposal.
