How do I deal with injured players under the 2026/27 Laws?

Law 5 (2026/27):

• If a player is only slightly injured, let play continue until the ball is out of play.
• Stop play only if a player is seriously injured, and make sure the player is removed from the field.
• An injured player may not be treated on the field. Where an injury stops play or delays the restart, the player must leave and may only come back one minute after play restarts (running clock): from the touchline if the ball is in play, or from any boundary line if it is out of play.
• Exceptions (the player need not leave): an injured goalkeeper; a goalkeeper and outfield player collide; team-mates collide; a severe injury; an injury from a physical offence for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off (if assessment is quick); or the injured player is taking an awarded penalty kick.
• A bleeding player must leave and can only return on your signal once the bleeding has stopped and there is no blood on their kit.
• If you are going to caution or send off an injured player who must leave, show the card before they leave.
• If play was stopped only for an injury not caused by an offence, restart with a dropped ball.

Concussion: competitions may use additional permanent concussion substitutions under the IFAB protocol: each team may use one concussion substitute, regardless of how many normal substitutions it has made, and the player replaced takes no further part.