The new Premier League season kicks off this week with Arsenal facing Coventry, with league officials confirming four significant changes to the competition’s regulations.
One of the key changes is the removal of scheduled hydration breaks, while new measures will also affect injured players, restarts of play, substitutions and the use of VAR.
Under the new rule, any player who receives medical treatment on the pitch must remain off the field for at least one minute before returning. The measure is intended to reduce time-wasting and discourage players from exaggerating injuries.
Referees will also introduce a five-second countdown when a team delays a restart. If the five-second limit is exceeded during a throw-in, possession will be awarded to the opposition. In the case of a delayed goal kick, the opposing team will be awarded a corner.
Changes will also apply to substitutions. A player leaving the pitch must do so within 10 seconds. If they fail to do so, the substitute will have to wait until the next stoppage in play, after one minute has elapsed.
Another significant change concerns VAR. The technology will now be able to intervene in situations involving a player who receives a second yellow card and is subsequently sent off.
However, VAR will only review the decision after the referee has shown the second yellow card. It will not be used to determine whether the initial challenge should have resulted in a yellow card in the first place.
The changes will come into effect during the new season, with the aim of reducing time-wasting, improving the flow of matches and making the game more efficient.
