Another new Premier League season, and another raft of rule changes for fans, players, and managers to get used to. The 2025/26 campaign will kick off next week, with champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth on Friday night.
There could be more corners and, indeed, yellow cards than supporters would normally expect at Anfield. That’s due to key alterations in how referees will handle certain situations. Clubs that come under investigation for suspected rule breaches will also have to change the way they go about cooperating with authorities.
Express Sport looks at three big rule changes that could take some getting used to….
Goalkeepers will have to hurry up
Both Alisson and Dorde Petrovic will no doubt want an early touch of the ball on Friday, but neither will have long to get rid of it. This season, goalkeepers will be penalised for holding onto the ball for more than eight seconds, with the punishment a corner to the attacking team.
Referees have been instructed to issue a warning after three seconds, giving them five more to either boot the ball upfield or roll it to a teammate. The rule is designed to clamp down on time wasting, and is expected to be governed more strictly than the previous rule, which was supposed to see an indirect free-kick given if a goalkeeper hung on for more than six seconds.
Refs to only hear one voice
Only one player from each team will be permitted to approach referees this season. In a move aligning the English top flight with UEFA, sides will have to delegate one man, the captain, seemingly the obvious choice, to discuss decisions with the officials.
Players who aren’t nominated and rant and rave at the ref, or even approach one, can be issued an instant yellow card. The law is designed to prevent referee abuse and stop groups of players from surrounding them to question decisions.
Speeding up rule breach inquiries
You could be forgiven for forgetting that Manchester City remain under investigation for 115 alleged rule breaches, given that the saga has been ongoing for two and a half years.
So City’s rivals will no doubt welcome new laws to speed up the process in future. From now on, clubs in the firing line will be asked to immediately notify all current officials, directors and players that they are under investigation.
All arbitrators involved will also have to sign a statement of impartiality within seven days of being appointed. If they fail to do so, another arbitrator will then have to be appointed.