Aydın Tiryaki and Gemini 3 Pro (2025)
Abstract
Since its inception, the rules of association football have evolved to balance physical endurance with tactical sophistication. The transition from “no substitutions” to the current “five-substitute” rule marks a significant milestone. However, a psychological and tactical barrier remains: the “Goalkeeper Risk.” This article proposes a structural reform—the “5+1 Model”—to ensure tactical fluidity and professional integrity by decoupling goalkeeper security from outfield strategy.
1. The Historical Trajectory: From Survival to Strategy
For the first 90 years of organized football, the game was a test of attrition. The “no substitution” dogma forced injured players to remain on the pitch, often reducing the game to a 10-man struggle. The evolution since then has been a journey toward professionalization:
- 1953/1958: First allowances for injury-based substitutions.
- 1965: The English Football League’s revolution. Keith Peacock made history as the first substitute for Charlton Athletic, initially replacing an injured goalkeeper.
- 1970 Mexico World Cup: The introduction of two tactical substitutions. Anatoly Puzach (USSR) became the first tactical sub in World Cup history.
- 1988–1995: The era of the “2+1 Rule” (Two outfield players plus one goalkeeper). This was perhaps the most logical period in football history, recognizing the unique nature of the goalkeeper position.
- 2020–Present: The post-pandemic adoption of the 5-substitute rule, responding to the extreme intensity of the modern game.
2. The “Sub 5” Paradox: Why 5 is Actually 4
In theory, managers have five substitutions. In practice, however, a tactical barrier exists. Most managers hesitate to use their fifth substitute before the dying minutes of a match due to the “Goalkeeper Disaster” scenario. If the fifth sub is used at the 80th minute and the goalkeeper is subsequently injured or sent off, an outfield player must take the gloves.
This fear transforms the 5th substitution into a “Safety Reserve” rather than a tactical tool. Consequently, the game loses the intensity that the 5-sub rule was designed to provide.
3. The Proposal: The “5+1 Goalkeeper Guarantee”
We propose a return to the logic of the 1988 era, updated for the modern high-intensity game. The rule should be redefined as: 5 Tactical Substitutions + 1 Dedicated Goalkeeper Substitution.
Key Pillars of the Proposal:
- Tactical Liberation: Managers can utilize all five outfield substitutions to manage player fatigue and tactical shifts without the hovering fear of a goalkeeper crisis.
- The Red Card Contingency: If a team has exhausted its five tactical substitutions and the goalkeeper is sent off, the team should be permitted to bring on the substitute goalkeeper by sacrificing one outfield player. The team remains with 10 men (preserving the disciplinary penalty) but maintains professional standards by keeping a specialist in goal.
- Goalkeeper Development & Motivation: This rule allows for the integration of backup goalkeepers in matches where the result is secured, or for specific tactical reasons (e.g., penalty specialists), without “wasting” a tactical slot.
4. Conclusion: Preserving the Integrity of the Game
Football in 2025 is a game of extreme speed and physical demand. The Laws of the Game must evolve to protect both the players and the technical quality of the spectacle. The “5+1 Model” eliminates the element of “bad luck” regarding goalkeeper incidents and empowers technical staff to manage the game with 100% tactical efficiency.
It is time for the IFAB to recognize that the goalkeeper is not just another player, but a specialized role that requires its own procedural safety net.
Aydın Tiryaki and Gemini 3 Pro
Ankara, December 18, 2025
Aydın Tiryaki 