Premier League fans can expect a season filled with new changes and updates. Not only will there be changes to the rules and how the game is refereed, but there will also be adjustments to how viewers watch the action and receive team news before kick-off.
One significant change in the rules is aimed at reducing excessive added time during games. Last season, additional time was added on to punish time wasting, causing the duration of games to skyrocket. To address this issue, new laws have been put in place, with only 30 seconds added on per goal scored. The Premier League anticipates that this adjustment will result in a significant drop in the amount of additional time this season. Additionally, the number of substitutes allowed to warm up at once will increase from three to five, making for busier sidelines during matches.
Another change that prioritizes player safety is the increase in concussion substitutes. This adjustment aims to provide better protection for players who may have suffered a head injury. Furthermore, encroachment for penalties will only be punished if it affects the outcome of a spot-kick, ensuring fair play.
Referees will also be encouraged to ensure that balls are placed in the center of the penalty spot for penalties and to give out fewer penalties for “ball to hand” incidents. This emphasizes the importance of accuracy and fairness in penalty decisions.
In a major change to speed up decisions, semi-automated offsides will be introduced to the Premier League. This change, however, will not be implemented until September or October. By using technology to assist with offside decisions, the game can move forward more swiftly.
Aside from rule changes, there will also be alterations to the Match of the Day line-up. Ian Wright, a long-standing pundit, has decided to step away from the show. In his place, three new pundits will be joining the team: Joe Hart, Theo Walcott, and Steph Houghton. This fresh line-up promises to bring a new dynamic and perspective to the popular football show.
Additionally, there will be a change in the timing of team news releases. Previously, team news was released exactly one hour before kick-off. However, for the upcoming season, clubs will be allowed to release their line-ups 75 minutes before the match begins. This change aligns with rules in UEFA competitions and aims to prevent leaks between the teams being given to the referee and being announced publicly.
Finally, the new season brings with it a wave of new WAGs (wives and girlfriends) as players make moves to different clubs. Manchester United’s latest signing, Matthijs De Ligt, will be joined by his model wife AneKee Molenaar in Manchester. Another Man United signing, Joshua Zirkzee, will also have his influencer and model girlfriend Celina Kerr by his side. In Wolverhampton, Clara Motta Guedes, a top model signed with Elite Models, will be joining Rodrigo Gomes.
The new Premier League season promises to be an exciting one, filled with changes on and off the pitch. Fans can look forward to a faster and fairer game, new faces on Match of the Day, and earlier access to team news. As the sport evolves, so too do the experiences for fans and players alike.