The Premier League is gearing up to introduce a new rule for the 2025/26 season, one that the Championship’s newly promoted sides will need to navigate.
Leeds United and Burnley have already secured their places in the top flight, with the Championship play-off taking place next weekend, with a jaw-dropping new deal agreed.
The two sides in the final are Sunderland and Sheffield United, where a Sunderland star has the chance to break a unique 88-year record held by a legendary player.
The Premier League’s intense competition is well-known, and the implementation of this new regulation, which was originally hoped for introduction a few years ago, will present an additional hurdle for these clubs.
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
It’s anticipated that the 20 Premier League clubs will formally approve this rule, already in use in UEFA competitions, at their annual general meeting next month.
The Premier League’s new communication protocol
This new regulation will limit on-field communication with referees to designated club captains only.
Already used in UEFA competitions and reportedly welcomed by officials, the rule aims for referees to explain significant decisions solely to captains.
While other players can engage in routine matters, challenging major calls by anyone other than the captain is likely to be penalised.
The rule allows an outfield player to communicate if the goalkeeper is captain and UEFA has emphasised that only captains should respectfully seek clarifications.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Introduced by IFAB in November 2023 to curb players mobbing referees and dissent bookings, this new protocol will be key for promoted clubs to avoid disciplinary issues in the Premier League.
Examining the disciplinary records of the four potential Premier League newcomers from the Championship provides an interesting backdrop to this new regulation.
Interestingly, while Burnley committed the most fouls per game this season with an average of 11.5, it’s Sunderland who lead the way in terms of cautions received.
The Black Cats accumulated 98 yellow cards and also saw the most red cards among this group with 4. In contrast, Sheffield United weren’t far behind with 11.1 fouls per game and collected a substantial 95 yellow cards alongside 2 red cards.
Fouls per match Yellow cards
Leeds United 10.3 70
Burnley 11.5 82
Sheffield United 11.1 95
Sunderland 10.7 98
Statistics from this season, via FotMob.
Burnley, despite their higher foul count, received fewer bookings with 82 yellow cards and 3 red cards. Leeds United, the other confirmed Premier League team, recorded the fewest fouls per game at 10.3 and also had the cleanest disciplinary record with just 70 yellow cards and no red cards.
Given their higher yellow card records, Sunderland and Sheffield United will especially need to emphasise disciplined behaviour under the new rule, ensuring the captain manages referee interactions to avoid sanctions.
While Leeds United and Burnley have better disciplinary records, they too must clearly understand and stick to the captain-only communication protocol.