The Premier League will introduce nine new rules for the 2026/27 season, aimed at improving the spectacle. Many of the guidelines focus on reducing time-wasting, while others expand the use of technology.
Many of the new rules were successfully deployed at the World Cup, which saw a marked increase in the time the ball was in play. At the tournament in North America, the ball was in play for just over an hour on average, compared to just under 57 minutes at Qatar 2022.
While many of the new rules will be welcomed, some may be met with trepidation as they will mean an increased use of VAR, which remains a source of frustration for many fans.
Throw-ins and goal-kicks
Throw-ins not taken within five seconds will be awarded to the other side. However, that will not apply to long throws, which are regarded as set-piece routines.
Goalkeepers have also been given a five-second limit for goal-kicks. If the kick is not taken within that time, the referee will have the power to award a corner to the attacking side.
Players going down and substitutions
If a player randomly drops to the ground, stopping play, they must leave the pitch even if they are not seen by a physio. However, the rule will not be enforced if the player has been fouled and the offending player has been carded.
Substituted players can no longer trudge off the pitch slowly. They must get off within 10 seconds. If they do not, the player replacing them will have to wait a minute before entering the fray.
Goalkeeper timeout and handball
The sight of goalkeepers randomly hitting the deck to burn up seconds has also been combatted. If a goalkeeper is seen by a physio, the manager will have 10 seconds to nominate a player to go off for a minute. If the manager does not decide within 10 seconds, the captain will automatically go off for 60 seconds. The rule will not be enforced if the goalkeeper has been fouled or is bleeding.
The rules around handball during a goal-kick routine have been tidied up. Any kick of the ball during a goal-kick will be regarded as the kick being taken. Therefore, if any player touches the ball, a penalty will automatically be awarded.
VAR and second yellow cards
As seen at the World Cup, VAR can now be deployed to assess second yellow cards that have been awarded. However, the technology will not be used for potential second bookings that have not been shown.
VAR will also be used to review whether a foul has been committed before a set-piece was taken. If a foul is spotted, the goal will be ruled out and the set-piece retaken.
VAR can now intervene to ensure the right player is punished for an offence. It will not be applied 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.
