The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) can confirm the key updates to its concussion policy and procedures, as well as new rules and regulations being implemented for the A-Leagues 2026/27 season kicking off this weekend.
Updates to Concussion Policy
Following a thorough review and consultation process with relevant stakeholders and the A Leagues’ Chief Medical Officer, the Return to Play guidelines have been extended for players that sustain a concussion during a match, with the mandated standdown period increasing from 8 to 12 days.
Players must also successfully complete each stage of the Graduated Return To Play Program, as signed off by the Club Doctor, before they can take part in a competitive match.
This update aligns the A-Leagues with the English FA Concussion Guidelines which is amongst the most conservative in world football in regards to ‘return to play’ protocols for players.
The A-Leagues’ concussion substitution, first introduced in 2024 in accordance with the IFAB concussion protocols, remains in place giving teams an additional substitution to use when a player has an actual or suspected concussion.
The substitution does not count as one of the ‘normal’ permitted substitutions or substitution opportunities.
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Other Rule & Regulation Updates
The new A-League Men and Ninja A-League season will also see a range of rules trialled and implemented with the approval from Football Australia, FIFA and IFAB.
Time-limited substitution protocol
Following a successful trial at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the A-League Men and Ninja A-League Women will implement the time-limited substitution protocol for season 2026/27.
This protocol requires a substituted player to leave the field of play within ten seconds to prevent time-wasting and disruption to the tempo of the match.
Once the substitution board has been shown, the player being substituted must leave the field of play at the nearest point within ten seconds, unless indicated otherwise by the referee.
The referee may visually count down the last five seconds with a raised hand which may be accompanied by a verbal countdown where appropriate.
If the player being substituted has not left the field of play within the ten seconds, the substitute is not permitted to enter the field of play, and may only join the game at the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed.
Referee discretion is also used in instances where deemed necessary.
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Tactical Goalkeeper Injury Protocol
The 2026/27 A-Leagues season will also see the ‘Tactical Goalkeeper Injury Protocol A’ trialled across both competitions.
The introduction of this rule aims to prevent unfair tactical goalkeeper injuries, which create an opportunity for the coach to convey instructions or tactics to players, and disrupt the tempo of the game.
This rule will be implemented whenever a goalkeeper is assessed or treated on the field of play, or has an injury that causes play to be stopped.
The team’s captain must leave and remain off the field for one minute after the restart, except in certain injury situations outlined by IFAB.
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Where the goalkeeper is the captain, the referee must be told, no later than the coin toss before kick-off, which player has been nominated to leave in such scenarios.
This protocol slightly differs from Protocol B which is being implemented in English football.
As well as this, any player that requires the game to be stopped because they require treatment must leave the pitch for one minute, unless the player is injured as a result of a tackle and a yellow or red card was given to the opponent.
Five second throw-ins and goal kicks
In addition to the eight-second rule with goalkeepers handling the ball last season,
there will now be additional rules around goal kicks and throw-ins.
The protocol will see a five-second countdown at the referee’s discretion to prevent time wasting and disruption to the tempo of the match at throw-ins and goal kicks.
If the time limit is exceeded, a corner will be awarded for a delayed goal kick, and the ball will be reversed for a throw-in.
The referee does not have to wait for a player to have possession of the ball to start the five second countdown.
The countdown can also be started if the player deliberately causes a delay by slowly retrieving the ball, taking up an incorrect position at a throw-in or putting the ball in an incorrect position at a goal kick.
VAR Protocol for attacking team offences prior to the ball being in play
Another new initiative that is being trialled in the new A-League Men season relates to
fouls being committed at set-pieces, specifically before the ball is in play.
The rule refers to the implementation of VAR for offences committed by the attacking team before the ball is in play at a corner kick or free kick that have a direct impact on a goal, penalty kick, or disciplinary sanction.
If the offence meets the criteria, the VAR will recommend an on-field review and if the referee determines that an offence occurred before the ball was in play, the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken and the corner kick or free kick will be retaken.
Mistaken identity can also only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offence that was penalised; the offence itself cannot be reviewed or changed.
Extended Ninja A-League Matchday Squads
The matchday squads for Ninja A-League Women have also been increased to 18 players which is now consistent with the A-League Men.
The A-Leagues’ competition regulations and policies are reviewed annually to ensure they reflect the changing needs of the professional game, in line with international and local standards, and enable the most compelling product on the pitch.
As part of the annual off-season review, the APL consulted with all key stakeholders, clubs and football stakeholders including the PFA and Football Australia.
