The Premier League are to introduce four new rules for the 2026/27 season, with time-wasting among the offences being clamped down on.
As is the case every year, there are set to be a series of changes to the rules ahead of the new season, as the FA keeps up with IFAB’s Laws of the Game.
• Longer off the pitch after treatment
Players who have received on-field treatment must now remain off the pitch for at least one minute (increased from 30 seconds).
• 5-second restarts
A five-second countdown applies to deliberate delays. Exceeding the limit on a throw-in transfers possession to the opponent; delaying a goal-kick results in an opposition corner.
• 10-second substitutions
Substituted players have 10 seconds to leave the field. If breached, the incoming substitute is frozen out and cannot enter until the first natural stoppage after one minute has passed.
• VAR for second yellows
VAR can now overturn second yellow cards, but it cannot give them.
New refereeing ‘points of emphasis’
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool players in the drinks break during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As well as implementing the above rule changes, there will be new areas of focus for referees, most notably around hair-pulling.
• A red card will be issued when there is a clear and deliberate action to pull an opponent’s hair with excessive force and/or brutality.
• A yellow card will be issued if the action is deemed to be without excessive force and/or brutality.
• Challenges on goalkeepers will be penalised where an attacking player makes a clear action with no intent to play or challenge for the ball, which results in contact that impacts the ability of the goalkeeper to play or challenge for the ball.
Thankfully, the Premier League do not intend to implement optional rules that are in place for the World Cup, such as the required two ‘cooling breaks’ on top of half time.
They also will not be reviewing the awarding of corners with VAR.
Mikel Arteta
Hopefully, these law changes will help Liverpool as the Reds play best when the game is in full flow and momentum can be built.
The amount of stoppages and time-wasting has meant games have arguably become less exciting over the last couple of seasons.
The 2025/26 season, according to Opta’s data on March 9, saw the longest average time taken to restart play (29.2 seconds) since records began in 2016.
On March 5, Opta said Arsenal had taken the longest over corners on average of all Premier League clubs this season, at 44.5 seconds.
By contrast, Liverpool took the least time of any team to restart play.