The English Premier League has introduced new rules for the upcoming 2024/25 football season.
As the domestic league kicks off on Friday, August 16, 2024, with Manchester United facing Fulham in the opening match, significant changes will be implemented in how the games are officiated, according to a statement on the EPL website released on Thursday.
“There will be a difference this campaign in how match officials will be applying the rules of the game,” the statement said.
Substitute Warm-ups
While the rule allowing five substitutions per match, which began last season, remains in place, changes have been made regarding warm-ups. “Starting this season, the number of substitutes allowed to warm up simultaneously on the perimeter of the pitch has increased from three to five players per team. This adjustment aligns with the existing rule permitting five substitutions during a match.”
Multiball System
The Premier League will also introduce the multiball system in 2024/25, utilizing 15 balls to accelerate gameplay. The statement explained, “When the match ball goes out of play and is not quickly retrievable, players must go to the nearest cone to collect a replacement ball themselves to restart play.” However, a new exception allows “ball assistants positioned behind the goals to return a ball directly to the goalkeeper for a restart.”
Additionally, referees are now empowered to send off technical area staff who deliberately delay the restart of play by holding or kicking the ball away. Players engaging in such behavior within the technical area will receive a yellow card.
Accurate Calculation of Added Time
To ensure more accurate stoppage time, a new rule dictates that from this season, “match officials will only begin adding time when the delay between a goal and the subsequent kick-off exceeds 30 seconds.” The statement added that this change could lead to a reduction in stoppage time, given that there was an average of 3.28 goals per match last season.
These adjustments are aimed at enhancing the flow and fairness of the game, as the new season gets underway.
