The large screen in the stadium showing a VAR check on a possible offside.
There could be a tweak to the offside rules in future seasons, giving the advantage back to the attacking team.
The International Football Board (IFAB) are working on several potential rule changes that could impact Manchester United and Manchester City in future seasons.
The rule makers are always looking for ways to improve the game and how they are officiated with tweaks to rules being made regularly. It often leads to trials, and then an implementation of the new rules if they are successful.
The latest update has pointed to three potential rule changes that could come into effect in the Premier League in campaigns coming up. Here is a look at the three issues being monitored and potential changes that could come into effect.
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Offside changes
The offside rule is one that often causes debate among fans, but discussions are taking place over tweaks to the rules that will give an advantage back to the attacking team. The introduction of VAR has seen goals rules out for marginal offsides.
IFAB technical director David Elleray has outlined the wish for tweaks to the rules, but it seems it could be a while off yet. He said, via the BBC: "We all agree that it would be nice if goals weren't necessarily chalked off for a toenail or a nose. It is part of an early debate but we are seeing if there are ways in which we could deal with the challenges.”
Eight second rule
A new eight second rule that forces goalkeepers to release the ball quicker is expected by the 2026/27 season. Trials have taken place in both Premier League 2 and in Malta.
It comes with the current six-second rule being one that is largely ignored by goalkeepers and referees. A goalkeeper holding onto the ball for more than six seconds is supposed to lead to an indirect free-kick being awarded to the other team, but it’s something that is rarely seen.
There is now a new version that the IFAB are pushing ahead to introduce. It will see the referee raise their hand after three seconds before a countdown begins for the final five seconds with the ball having to be released by the end.
Tactical time outs
One of the things that the IFAB are trying to cut out is an incident of goalkeepers going down for treatment to allow their teammates to go over to the technical area and get advance from their manager. It’s something that particularly happens in moments such as after a red card.
IFAB chief Ellery has revealed that it’s something that has been noticed by the game’s rule makers. “We're monitoring that,” he said, via the BBC. “It's not easy to deal with because the goalkeeper has a right to be treated.
“We noticed it developed a couple of years ago and sometimes it's used very much as a tactic when a player gets sent off. It’s something that's on our radar.”