Bizarre new rule change will force keepers to play outfield this season when sin bins introduced
A BIZARRE new rule could see goalkeepers play in an outfield position this season.
But it will only be implicated to all non-league football from the fourth step downwards.
It comes after sin bins were introduced meaning players will be forced to sit on the touchline for 10 minutes if they receive a yellow card.
After the allotted time is up, the player can then head back onto the field of play.
But the rule is slightly different for keepers.
If the No1 is shown a yellow, he will be replaced by an outfield player who will pull on a pair of gloves.
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Once the 10 minutes are up, the keeper must re-enter the field as an outfield player until there is a stoppage in play enabling him to change position.
The sin bin initiative was trialled last season in step seven and below of the non-league.
It has been suggested by the BBC that it reduced dissent towards referees in matches by 38 per cent.
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But it still seems a long way to go until we see a Premier League keeper try his luck as an outfield player.
In 2005, Man City boss Stuart Pearce thought he produced a tactical masterstroke by throwing ex-England stopper David James in attack.
Unsurprisingly he couldn’t find the back of the net in City’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.