One of the most difficult and fiercely contested leagues in football is the English Premier League.
Sportshebron.com outlines what will be different as the top teams attempts to defeat reigning champions Manchester City.
- Five Subs
The English Premier League will permit up to five replacements each game for this season and has already been implemented.
While most other leagues on the continent continued with five last season, the Premier League switched back to three but this season, the extra alternatives will be available once more.
It’s important to remember that head coaches will only be able to substitute players three times instead of five, to prevent disruptions to the game and prevent time-wasting late in games that are closely contested.
- Multiball
The game can be played for longer by making another effort to minimize interruption. Now that eight additional officials have been added, the fourth official will always hold a ball while the other eight will be placed at various locations around the field on cones.
- Fan Bans
If a fan wants to see their team play again soon, they should think twice before deciding to run onto the field to celebrate a last-minute victory this season. To address fan misconduct, new regulations are being enforced throughout the game.
- Positioning Of The Goalkeeper.
Rules nerds, take note. Keepers are now allowed to step into their goal when trying to block a penalty kick to gain momentum and make a stop. The former rule required that at least one foot is on the line before the kick was taken, which some keepers considered unfair to them because they were required to stand motionless or break the rules by going off their line and in the direction of the taker.
- The Coin Toss
Another tiny, peculiar regulation has been added: before a match, the person in charge must now flip the coin.
Even if there had previously been nothing in the rule book to prevent it, Premier League officials would not have picked a fan from the crowd to perform the pre-match ritual.
