News

Changes to the rules of the game

There are a number of changes to look out for, both on and off the pitch, this season.

By Luke Nicoli • 15 August 2019

By Paul Hazlewood

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) have updated the Laws of the Game, meaning that from the start of 2019/20, any goalkeeper facing a penalty ought to have at least part of one foot on the goalline or, if jumping, in line with the goalline when a spot-kick is taken. They are also not permitted to stand behind the line.

Referees will not signal for a penalty kick to be taken if the goalkeeper is touching the goalposts, crossbar or net, or if these are moving, for example if a keeper has kicked or shaken them. Meanwhile, players who win penalties and are hurt in the process now have a better chance of being able to take the spot kick they have earned, given they will be able to have quick treatment or an assessment, rather than leaving the field and being unable to do so.

By Paul Hazlewood

In terms of goal kicks, the ball is in play from the moment it is kicked and moves. Opposition players still in the area because they have not had time to leave are permitted, and can, intercept the goal kick.

Come the end of the season, if two or more clubs finish level in the table when competing for the title or European qualification, or when relegation is at stake, their records in the head-to-head matches will now be used to separate them.

In previous seasons, teams involved in these specific battles who finished with the same points total, goal difference and number of goals scored would be pitted against each other in a play-off, but that extra match is now less likely.

If a team finishes level on points with each other, their head-to-head records could come into effect.

But that won’t be until they have lined up their goal difference, and then their goals scored, against each other.

So the prospect of a head-to-head record deciding anything is slim.

It will also only apply when there is something at stake, ie a relegation spot or a European qualification place.

Should the head-to-head record, which is just based on points gained, fail to separate sides, goals scored away from home will be taken into consideration.

And should all else fail, a play-off will be arranged at a neutral ground at the end of the season. Note that these changes to the head-to-head records have all been implemented by the Premier League, but not the IFAB.

By Rex/Shutterstock

Matches will also be played using the new Nike Merlin ball – which is the first bespoke ball of its kind produced solely for England’s top flight and thanks to Nike’s latest innovations, it includes a bigger ‘sweet spot’ and enhanced All Conditions Control (ACC) technology.

Another IFAB change concerns handballs. A player will be penalised if they deliberately touch the ball, but a foul will also be given if they create a chance or score a goal from an accidental handball.

Any incident where a player's arms have been raised above shoulder-height is also likely to be given, or if they have made their body 'unnaturally' bigger. However, if the ball hits a player's hand or arm from close-range and their arm is close to the body or used to support their body while falling, it will usually not be punished.

When it comes to free kicks and there is a wall of three or more defenders, attackers are not allowed to stand within one metre of the wall. An attacker who breaches this rule will be penalised with an indirect free kick awarded to the opposition.

When the defending team takes a free kick inside their own penalty area, the ball is in play once the kick is taken, It does not have to leave the penalty area before it can be played.

There are also changes when it comes to drop balls. If a dropped ball is given inside either penalty area, it is dropped for the defending team's goalkeeper when play restarts. For dropped balls outside the penalty area, the ball is dropped for a player on whichever team last touched the ball. All other players must remain at least 4.5 yards away from the ball until play restarts.

Another big change now sees a drop ball awarded if the ball hits the referee and goes to the other team as a result.

By Paul Hazlewood

When it comes to substitutions, players must leave the pitch by the nearest point on the touchline unless the referee allows them to leave on the half-way line for safety or injury reasons.

With yellow and red cards, if the attacking team wishes and the referee has not started to issue the card, they can take a quick free-kick at this point so long as it creates a goalscoring opportunity.

The referee will then issue the card when the ball next goes out of play. However, if the referee was about to send off the player who has given away the foul for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, they will only receive a yellow card if the attacking team takes the quick free-kick.

Yellow cards will also be awarded to team officials on either bench that are guilty of misconduct. If the offender cannot be identified, the senior coach in the technical area at the time will receive the card.

One thing that won’t be introduced to the Premier League, but will be put in place from tier seven of the men’s game, are temporary dismissals or ‘sin-bins’. This results in temporary dismissals from the pitch during which time the player is not allowed to be substituted or involved in the game in any way.

By Paul Hazlewood

There will also be changes to the referee circuit, with Andy Madley and Peter Bankes promoted to Select Group 1 by the Professional Game March Officials Limited (PGMOL). Madley, 35, actually officiated two top-flight games last season, one of them being Albion’s home win against Everton in December.

Talking of the festive period, the 2019/20 campaign will be the first to feature a mid-season break, meaning the Premier League will split one round of matches in February 2020 over two weekends, with five matches taking place on the weekend commencing 8th February and the other five on the weekend commencing 15th February. The announcement detailing which fixtures will be played on which of these weekends will be made on or near to 13th December 2019, with all five matches on each weekend broadcast live in the UK.