The Premier League has announced nine new regulations for the 2026/27 season, designed to enhance the spectacle by reducing time-wasting and increasing the use of technology, including expanded VAR.
Several of the rules were trialled successfully at the World Cup, which recorded a notable rise in the amount of time the ball was in play. During the tournament in North America, the ball was in play for just over an hour on average, in contrast to just under 57 minutes at Qatar 2022.
While many of the new regulations will be welcomed, some may be received with apprehension as they will result in increased use of VAR, which continues to be a source of frustration for numerous supporters.
Throw-ins and goal-kicks
Throws not taken within five seconds will be given to the opposing team. However, that won't apply to long throws which are considered as set-piece routines.
Goalkeepers have also been given a five-second time limit. If the kick isn't taken within that timeframe, the referee will have the authority to award a corner to the attacking team.
Players going down and substitutions
If a player unexpectedly falls to the ground, halting play, they must exit the pitch even if they haven't been assessed by a physio. However, the rule will not be applied if the player has been fouled and the offending player has received a card.
Players being substituted can no longer dawdle off the pitch at a leisurely pace. They must now leave the field within 10 seconds. Should they fail to do so, their replacement will be required to wait a minute before coming on.
Goalkeeper timeout and handball from a goal-kick
The practice of goalkeepers inexplicably going down to waste time has also been addressed. If a keeper receives treatment from a physio, the manager will have 10 seconds to nominate a player to leave the pitch for a minute. Failure to decide within 10 seconds means the captain will automatically be withdrawn for 60 seconds. The rule won't apply if the goalkeeper has been fouled or is bleeding.
The regulations surrounding handball during goal-kick routines have been clarified. Any contact with the ball during a goal-kick will now be considered as the kick having been taken. Consequently, if any player then touches the ball, a penalty will automatically be given.
VAR changes for second yellow cards, set-piece goals and mistaken identity
As witnessed at the World Cup, VAR can now be utilised to examine second yellow cards that have been issued. However, the technology won't be employed for potential second bookings that haven't been shown.
VAR will also be employed to check whether a foul occurred before the set-piece was taken. If an infringement is identified, the goal will be disallowed and the set-piece will be retaken.
VAR can now step in to make certain the correct player is penalised for a misdemeanour. It will not be applied in the same manner as it was at the World Cup, where Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was punished for a dive after the USA was initially booked for a foul. In the Premier League, it must be for the same offence, potentially in the case of a mix-up amid a crowded box.
