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Football London
Football London
Sport
Paul Clarke

The incredible FA rule change that will see goalkeepers play outfield next season

Goalkeepers will be forced to play outfield and vice versa due to rule changes set to be introduced next season.

As part of the respect campaign, the Football Association is extending its trial of sin-bins outside of the Football League.

Thirty-one leagues from across the country at Step 7 and below of the national league system and Tier 5 and below of the women’s pyramid has previously took part.

Now the fifth step of non-league downwards will be using sin-bins in place of yellow cards for dissent.

Players will be sin-binned for ten minutes in the event of a dissent offence, with outfield players having to go in goal if goalkeepers are on the sidelines.

Keepers will also have to play outfield when they return to the field until there is a stoppage in play.

Regulations state: "In the case of a goalkeeper being sin-binned, an outfield player must take over his position for the ten minute period.

"On completing his/her sin bin period, the goalkeeper must re-enter the field of play as an outfield player, until which time there is a stoppage in play enabling him to change position."

The referee will call the player back on the pitch whilst play continues until a stoppage takes place.

A player who is sin-binned twice in one game will not be sent off permanently. The player is also still eligible to take part in a penalty shootout even if their sin-bin is not over at the end of extra time.

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