The Premier League has introduced a series of rule changes for the new season, with a focus on reducing time-wasting and adjusting refereeing priorities. The measures include a 10-second limit for substituted players to leave the pitch, new handball guidance and updated sanctions for hair pulling.
New measures to combat time-wasting
The changes come after Opta data showed that during the 2025/26 season, the ball was in play for an average of 55 minutes and 31 seconds. This was a decrease from the 2023/24 season, when the ball was in play for 58 minutes and 11 seconds on average.
Players receiving treatment or injury assessment on the pitch must now stay off for at least one minute, up from the previous 30 seconds. Referees will also use a five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks, with delayed restarts potentially resulting in possession being awarded to the opposition.
Substitution and VAR changes
A 10-second time limit has been imposed for players to leave the field when being substituted. If the time limit is exceeded, the substitute cannot enter until the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed.
VAR may now review an incorrect red card resulting from a clearly wrong second yellow card. However, VAR will only review second yellow cards that have been awarded, rather than potential second yellows that were not given.
Refereeing points of emphasis
The Premier League has committed to a 'less is more' approach on penalising handball. Hair pulling will be dealt with proportionately through new guidance, with a clear action with excessive force still resulting in a red card, while unsporting behaviour will draw only a yellow card.
Referees have been told to adopt a more robust approach with actions clearly intended to deceive the referee, enhance recognition of holding on-field offences, and place greater focus on challenges on goalkeepers where the attacking player clearly and unfairly impacts the goalkeeper's ability to move to the ball.
Premier League Football Principles
Referees have been instructed to maintain a high threshold for penalising challenges while protecting player safety, with the principle that not every contact is a foul. The Premier League is also seeking to maintain a high threshold for VAR intervention, with the referees' call standing unless it is a clear and obvious error.
The survey used to shape the changes found that only 43% of respondents would support extending VAR to review more incidents, and only 37% supported VAR review for incorrectly awarded corners. The Premier League and the FA will hope the new laws and emphasis relayed to referees will help restore faith in refereeing standards and address the time-wasting troubles that plagued the league the previous season.
