The report says players leaving the pitch will have 10 seconds to depart once the substitution board is shown, using the nearest touchline where possible.
If that limit is exceeded, the replacement would have to wait until the next stoppage, with at least one minute required to pass before the change can be completed. The process reportedly cannot then be cancelled or altered.
That places more responsibility on players and coaches. A deliberate walk to the halfway line could now leave a team temporarily unable to use its substitute.
The update also says most players treated on the field would have to remain off for one minute before returning with the referee’s permission.
Exceptions reportedly include serious injuries, goalkeeper incidents, collisions involving team-mates and fouls that lead to a yellow or red card. The nominated penalty taker would also be exempt if injured after a penalty is awarded.
The rule could create a difficult balance: medical staff must protect players, while teams may lose an immediate numerical presence after treatment.
Referees are expected to gain a clear countdown option at throw-ins and goal-kicks. If a team is judged to be delaying, a five-second count can reportedly begin even before the ball is retrieved.
If time expires, the throw-in would go to the opposition and a delayed goal-kick could become a corner. Incorrectly taken free-kicks or throw-ins may also be allowed to continue when the opponents gain an obvious advantage.
The first weekend will test whether officials apply the measures uniformly. Coaches will quickly learn that small delays now carry a direct football cost, making fast restarts and disciplined substitutions an important part of the next League of Ireland storyline.