Sunderland will play West Ham - at the Stadium of Light - in their first Premier League fixture for eight years.
Chris Kavanagh checks the VAR monitor before disallowing a Sheffield United goal against Sunderland.
Chris Kavanagh checks the VAR monitor before disallowing a Sheffield United goal against Sunderland.
A lot has changed since Sunderland last kicked a ball in the English top-flight, eight years on from their last Premier League fixture.
The money and overall quality of the division has increased and the Black Cats know this season will be the toughest one yet under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus' ownership. And yet, despite all the talk and excitement about transfers, there's one key on the pitch factor that could impact Sunderland the most this year.
Premier League officials have been told to clamp down on holding in the penalty box this season, as per new guidance from the PGMOL. The organisation and league bosses consulted with "stakeholders", clubs, players and fans before agreeing to enforce stricter measures this season.
As we've already seen in the opening game weeks of the EFL, referees have awarded more penalties for grappling in the box from corners and set-pieces, something Sunderland will have to be aware of this season.
Le Bris told Chronicle Live that Sunderland had a visit from PGMOL in pre-season to talk with players and staff about the new rules that are going to be enforced this season. Players will be given one warning for holding, before being penalised.
Referees will also introduce new measures when it comes to head injuries, with medical staff automatically ordered on to the pitch to administer treatment, with the injured player also set to leave the pitch for 30 seconds when the game restarts, not including goalkeepers.
Simulation will also be punished more severely after Howard Webb, the PGMOL chief, called for a more robust stance, while the 'captain's only' rule will also be introduced to help clamp down on officials being surrounded by players, with yellow cards dished out as a deterrent.
Semi-Automated Offside Technology will also be in use for Sunderland this season and Le Bris says all the new measures are something the club has had to take into account when preparing for the upcoming campaign.
"Yeah it happened before, during pre-season," Le Bris said when asked about PGMOL discussions. "It's important to connect with this new set-up, it's a bit different.
"The way you can defend the box on set-pieces for example, or attack the box from set-pieces. I think for the offside, if it's the best decision, it's the best decision. If you're offside, you are offside. For VAR and other actions, we have to manage different situations."
VAR ruled out Sheffield United's second (would-be) goal against Sunderland in the Championship Play-Off Final.
VAR ruled out Sheffield United's second (would-be) goal against Sunderland in the Championship Play-Off Final.
Of course, the use of VAR is not entirely new to Sunderland - having used the technology in their Championship Play-Off Final win over Sheffield United.
The Black Cats were on the right side of a VAR decision, when Harrison Burrows' strike - which would have out the Blades 2-0 up on just after the half-hour mark - was ruled out for a Vini Souza infringement, blocking Anthony Patterson's view.
The goal was ruled out and Sunderland would come from behind to win the tie 2-1 owing to goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Tommy Watson.
Sunderland's Premier League collection
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