A team in Slovenia recently found themselves in a unique predicament during a match, having to substitute their teenage goalkeeper just 20 seconds into the game due to an unusual rule.
The incident occurred during the top-flight match between NK Rogaska and Olimpija Ljubljana. In a surprising turn of events, bottom-of-the-table Rogaska had to swiftly replace their 17-year-old goalkeeper, Zan Lorber, with Adjin Mulalic, who had recently joined the team on loan.
The reason behind this abrupt change in the lineup was the implementation of a league rule in Slovenia in 2022. According to this rule, top-flight clubs are mandated to include a player who is eligible for the country’s under-21 side in their starting lineup, and must also name eight home-grown players in their squad.
Despite their efforts to comply with the regulations, Rogaska found themselves in a challenging situation. Although they had not started any players over the age of 27, they were still required to have Lorber in goal to meet the league’s requirements.
Fans and football enthusiasts were bewildered by this peculiar rule, expressing their confusion and disbelief on social media. Many sympathised with the young goalkeeper and questioned the rationale behind such a regulation, with some labelling it as “ridiculous”.
After the unconventional start to the game, Rogaska took an early lead, going 2-0 up in the first half against the second-placed Olimpija. However, Olimpija staged a comeback, scoring a 92nd-minute equaliser and leaving Rogaska with just a point from the match.
The turn of events on the pitch and the unusual circumstances surrounding the substitution have garnered significant attention, sparking discussions and debates about the league’s regulations. It remains to be seen whether any changes will be made to the rules or if similar incidents will occur in the future.
In the world of football, unexpected moments such as these serve as a reminder of the unique and sometimes perplexing nature of the sport. As fans, we can only wait and see what other surprises the beautiful game has in store for us in the coming matches and seasons.