Under the IFAB Laws of the Game, an injured player may be treated on the field of play only in certain circumstances. If the injury stops play or delays the restart, the player must leave and may return only one minute after play restarts, with the referee's permission.
What the rule is designed to do
For an outfield player who is required to leave, the medical staff should be given sufficient time to carry out an initial assessment on the field, but should not treat the player there unless it is a serious injury.
The purpose of leaving the field is to give the medical staff the necessary time off the field to evaluate the injury and decide whether the player should continue, and to reduce disruption to the tempo of the match. If a player is only slightly injured, the referee allows play to continue until the ball is out of play; the referee stops play only if a player is seriously injured, and ensures that the player is removed from the field.
If the ball is in play, re-entry must be from the touchline; if the ball is out of play, the player may re-enter from any boundary line. Either way, the player may only return with the referee's permission.
In the Premier League from 2026/27, players who receive on-field injury treatment or assessment must leave for at least one minute, up from the 30 seconds the League used before.
When the one-minute requirement applies
This table shows when the one-minute requirement applies and when it does not.
| Situation | Must the injured player leave for one minute? |
|---|---|
| Play is stopped because an outfield player has an actual or suspected injury | Yes |
| The referee signals for the medical staff to enter the field | Yes |
| The referee asks if the player needs on-field medical attention and the player asks for it | Yes |
| A goalkeeper is injured | No |
| A goalkeeper and an outfield player collide and need attention | No |
| Players from the same team collide and need attention | No |
| A severe injury, especially a head injury, cardiac issue or life-threatening event | No |
| The player was injured by a physical offence for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off | No |
| A penalty kick has been awarded and the injured player will take it | No |
For an outfield player, any one of the first three situations is enough; they do not all have to occur together.
The minute starts when play restarts. It is measured on a running clock and decided by the referee, with help available from the other match officials. If the injured player is substituted, the substitution is not delayed. If the first half ends before the minute is up, the player may return from the start of the second half.
When the player does not have to stay off for a minute
There are cases where the player does not have to remain off for that full minute. One is when the player indicates that no medical attention is needed, except when play was stopped for the injury. Another is when the player leaves voluntarily during play or during a stoppage without delaying the restart.
The player also does not have to stay off for a minute in the six situations marked No in the table, and those six are the only exceptions to the requirement to leave the field for or after treatment.
In English football's 2026/27 goalkeeper injury trial, if play is stopped for a goalkeeper injury, the manager or head coach must nominate an outfield player to leave immediately, and that player must stay off for at least one minute after the restart.
Bleeding, the stretcher, and how play restarts
Any player who is bleeding must leave the field of play. Re-entry is allowed only on the referee's signal, once the referee is satisfied that the bleeding has stopped and there is no blood on the equipment.
If the referee has authorised the doctors and/or stretcher bearers to enter the field, the player must leave on a stretcher or on foot. A player who does not comply must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour.
If play has not been stopped for another reason, or if the injury was not caused by an offence, the restart is a dropped ball.
How the rules apply in specific cases
These cases show how the requirements above apply.
- A fouled player who is injured and voluntarily leaves the field during a stoppage, to avoid delaying the restart, may only re-enter, with the referee's permission, after the free kick has been taken, but does not have to stay off for one minute.
- A fouled player who is assessed on the field and is able to continue may remain on the field and take the free kick if the injury results from a physical offence for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off. Otherwise, the player must leave and may only re-enter one minute after play has restarted.
- A defender who is injured making a reckless tackle that gives away a penalty kick is cautioned for the reckless challenge, must leave the field for treatment, cannot be on the field when the penalty kick is taken, and may only return, with the referee's permission, one minute after play has restarted.
- If a penalty kick has been awarded and the injured player will take it, the referee should allow quick treatment on the field before the kick is taken, even if the injury was not caused by the offence that led to the penalty kick.
- An injured player who refuses to leave once the stretcher bearers have been authorised is cautioned and must leave on the stretcher or on foot.
FAQ
How long does an injured player have to stay off the pitch?
One minute after play restarts, unless one of the exceptions applies. That minute runs on a running clock, the referee decides when it has elapsed, and the player still needs permission before coming back on.
Can an injured goalkeeper be treated on the pitch?
Yes. An injured goalkeeper may be treated on the field and does not have to leave it for or after treatment; the same applies when a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need attention.
What happens if a player is bleeding in football?
The player has to leave the field. Return is allowed only after the bleeding has stopped, there is no blood on the equipment, and the referee gives the signal.
Can an injured player take a penalty?
Yes. When a penalty kick has been awarded and the injured player will be the kicker, the player does not have to leave the field for or after treatment, and the referee should allow quick treatment on the field before the kick is taken.