12 rule changes the Premier League will go through in the next season 1

The next season of the Premier League is set to be one of the most exciting campaign in recent times with the amount of quality in the managers all around. But the league next season will also provide the fans with plenty to look forward to with as many as 12 rule changes set to take effect from the first game of the Premier League next season.

The referees in the previous season had a torrid time on the field but some of the new amendments will help their decision making easy. Without further delay, let’s take a glance at all the changes the Premier League will go through next season.

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  1. Kick-offs:

Previously, during kick-offs, the law stated that the ball must enter the opposition half with the first touch before making its way back into your half. But the International Football Association Board has decided that there is no need for such a thing from the next season. This will see, as was the case in EURO16, kickoffs taking place with just the one player.

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  1. Pre-match bookings:

The new law states ‘a player may be sent off anytime between the pre-match inspection and when the referee leaves the field at the end of the game’. This law will give the referees the right to show a red card and dismiss players even before kick-off if they are involved in violent offences during the warm-up or in the tunnel. This law will reduce the number of incidents prior to the kick-off in the dressing rooms.

  1. ‘Triple punishment law’ removed:

Previously, if a player denied his opponent a clear goal-scoring opportunity in the penalty box, he was shown a red card, suspended for further games and the team was awarded a penalty. However, the law now states, ‘players committing accidental fouls that deny goal-scoring opportunities in the penalty area will not be automatically sent off, with a yellow card sufficient punishment.’ The reason behind this change is the fact that the penalty awarded restores the lost goal opportunity and there is no reason to punish a player unless it was a reckless challenge.

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  1. Injuries:

In a change that will make Mourinho smile, the IFAB has now revealed that a player, if has an injury during the game, can be treated on the field and need not leave the field to receive treatment. This rule is changed in order to remove the man advantage a team has till the length of the treatment. It will reduce placing the fouled team at a numerical disadvantage.

  1. Changing equipment:

If a player decides to change his gear, he can now have his new boots checked by an assistant referee or fourth official before returning to play. Previously, the player required the referee’s permission to return.

  1. Penalties:

There are many amendments to the penalties taken in a game but the most interesting one being, ‘the amendment to yellow card a penalty taker who “illegally feints” once his run-up is complete.’ This will now restrict the players from stopping immediately before shooting thus getting the better of the goalkeeper. However, the law still allows a stutter in the run-up to taking the penalty.

Atletico's coach Diego Simeone celebrates his side's second goal during the Champions League group G soccer match between FC Porto and Atletico de Madrid Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, at the Dragao stadium in Porto, northern Portugal. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

  1. Infringements by subs/team officials:

To address acts like Diego Simeone’s staff throwing an extra ball on the field to stop play, the IFAB has now decided that acts like that will result in free-kick or a penalty instead of a drop ball.

  1. Color of the undergarments:

It states that the players must be clothed in the same color of the uniform. The new rule states undershorts/tights must be the same color as the main color of the shorts or the lowest part of the shorts.

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  1. Offside:

In what can be of great effect in the next season, the offside rule now allows the players a bit of a leniency during calls of offside near the halfway line. The law now states the halfway line is neutral, meaning a player must have part of the body (excluding arms or hands) in the opponents’ half to be flagged offside.A free-kick resulting from an offside will now always take place where the offence is committed.

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  1. Hand Balls:

In a sensible move, “preventing an opponent gaining possession” has been removed from the list of bookable offences. It means that a yellow card will be banished for a handball only when “it stops/interferes with a promising attack”. It stops the referees from showing yellow cards for unavoidable handballs.

  1. Restarts:

In a rule that constitutes sporting behaviour “within the spirit of the game”, the phrase “clearly moves” has been added to the law on restarts. It prevents players from slightly tapping the ball during free kicks and corners and starting to dribble from a dead ball situation.

  1. Player Behavior:

One of the most important amendments in this list will now allow referees to issue cards based on the behavior of the players. The new law now allows the ref to issue a red card to players who confront officials and use insulting and/or offensive language or gestures towards them.

For a detailed account of all the amendments, check out FIFA’s official website. Most of the changes make the game better and let’s hope that the next season of the league is more transparent.