The Premier League will see a number of new changes to the rules implemented in the 2022/23 season.
There are a total of seven new regulations introduced by the top flight of English football. Some of these, such as substitution rules, have been used in the Premier League before, but are now being made permanent. In addition, there are also updates to offside laws, pre-match regulations and more.
Let’s take a look at the changes to the 2022/23 Premier League rules, and updates:
Five substitutions
Premier League clubs can now make five substitutions per game, a rule change that will prove popular amongst some managers.
This was a rule initially introduced during the 2019/20 season, when the end of the campaign was delayed and then resumed due to Covid-19.
Numerous Premier League managers, including Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, called for the rule to be made permanent when the top flight switched back to three substitutions in 2020/21 and 2021/22.
This season, clubs can make up to five substitutions. This can occur during three separate periods in the match, with half-time changes included in this.
The ‘coin toss’
The pre-match coin toss has also undergone a slight regulation change. Beforehand, it was not stated whether the referee had to toss the coin to decide which end each team starts from.
However, it is now stated within Premier League law that the referee has to perform the coin toss. It’s not a rule that will make much difference to the match-going fan, but a change nonetheless.
Goalkeepers positioning, and bookable offences, for penalties
Goalkepers can now step back into their goal with one foot when saving penalties. Previously, they had to have one foot on or above the goalline, but the new regulation allows for a more extensive range of movement when diving, and potentially more penalty saves as a result.
In addition, any team official can now be booked during the time period of a penalty kick.
More footballs
To combat time wasting, eight balls will be positioned on cones around each Premier League ground whilst play is ongoing.
In addition, the fourth official will now have a football at all times. That is so that they can quickly pass the ball to a player at throw-ins. Balls will also be placed behind the goal, to speed up goalkeeper goal kicks later in a game.
Clampdown on pitch invasions
Supporters who invade the pitch will now face far stricter punishments. This decision has made in reaction to a spate of pitch invasions last season, including at Manchester City v Aston Villa, Everton v Crystal Palace, and the Championship play-off semi-final between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United.
Club bans will be in place for pitch invaders. Meanwhile, fans carrying pyrotechnics and smoke bombs could be punished even further.
Fouls and misconduct – ‘outside agent’ wording
A new law change has been brought in relating to offences committed by a player against an ‘outside agent’.
If this happens, a dropped ball will take place. However, if the player exits the pitch without referee permission, an indirect free kick is awarded, to be taken where the point on the boundary line where the player left the field of play.
The full clarification reads: “If the referee stops play for an offence committed by a player, inside or outside the field of play, against an outside agent, play is restarted with a dropped ball, unless an indirect free kick is awarded for leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission; the indirect free kick is taken from the point on the boundary line where the player left the field of play.”
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