Overview
- FIFA has approved a pilot of two experimental in‑game rules to be used during the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup to gather practical data before any formal change to the Laws of the Game.
- The first rule targets deliberate goalkeeper feigning: if a referee judges a keeper faked an injury, the coach has 10 seconds to name a player who must leave the field for one minute and the team plays short; if no name is given the on‑field captain must serve the minute.
- The second rule covers set pieces: when an attacker pushes a defender and play continues to a goal, the goal will be disallowed and the set piece will be retaken instead of awarding a free kick to the defender.
- Tournament organisers and media note practical questions about real‑time referee judgments, how the temporary removal will be enforced without disrupting play, and the need for clear referee training and on‑field protocols.
- Officials will monitor and evaluate the trials during Khaleeji 27 to judge feasibility and match‑flow impact before deciding whether either rule should be adopted more widely, with the Gulf Cup staged in Jeddah through early October.