How does the new one-minute rule for injured players work?

New for 2026-27 (Law 5 and the off-field treatment protocol), an outfield player must leave the field and stay off for one minute of running clock after play restarts when:

• play is stopped because they have an actual or suspected injury
• you signal medical staff onto the field, or
• you ask if they need on-field attention and they say yes

Procedure:

• Medical staff get enough time for an initial assessment on the field, but shouldn't treat the player there unless the injury is serious.
• The minute starts when play restarts. You time it, and the other match officials can help.
• The player returns only with your permission: from the touchline if the ball is in play, or from any boundary line if it's out of play.
• If the half ends before the minute is up, the player can return at the start of the next period.
• A substitution for the injured player isn't delayed.

The player doesn't have to leave if:

• they say they don't need attention (unless play was stopped for the injury), or leave the field voluntarily without delaying the restart
• the goalkeeper is injured
• a goalkeeper and an outfield player, or two teammates, collide and need attention
• there's a severe injury, especially a head injury, cardiac issue or a life-threatening event such as a seizure or choking
• the injury came from a physical offense for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off
• a penalty kick was awarded and the injured player is taking it