3 Major Rule Changes Introduced to the 2025/26 Premier League Season
- The Premier League have introduced several rule changes for the 2025/26 campaign, including punishing time wasting
- Liverpool boss Arne Slot complained about time-wasting last season, and goalkeepers will be the biggest losers
- The Reds are favourites to win the title again, ahead of their closest challengers, Arsenal and Manchester City
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Three major rule changes will take effect in the upcoming Premier League season, which kicks off on Friday, August 15, with defending champions Liverpool facing Bournemouth.
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Premier League teams have wrapped up their pre-seasons, made key signings, and are now ready for the highly anticipated campaign.
Manchester United vs Arsenal will be the biggest match in matchday 1, but there are exciting matches throughout the weekend.
When does the Premier League start?
The 2025/26 Premier League season kicked off on Friday, August 15, with Liverpool beating Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield. The Reds are gearing up for the new campaign more than a month after the tragic loss of their player, Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash.
Arsenal, runners-up for the past three seasons, will renew their fierce rivalry with Manchester United at Old Trafford. Both the Gunners and the Red Devils have made some key signings.
Both teams have brought in top strikers, including Viktor Gyökeres, who joined Arsenal from Sporting CP, and Benjamin Šeško, who signed with the 13-time Premier League champions.
What are the new Premier League rules?
Goalkeepers time wasting
This rule was in place, but it was rarely enforced. However, next season, goalkeepers will no longer be allowed to hold onto the ball to kill time.
Goalkeepers will have eight seconds to release the ball, starting with a five-second countdown from the referee. If the goalkeeper fails to adhere to the rules, a corner will be awarded.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot complained about time wasting last season.
“Every time we drop points, that happened… goalkeepers taking one and a half minutes. When we have dropped points, that tactic was used. I like to say it now after us winning the league, not losing a game," he said via the Mirror.
Referees speaking to captains
Premier League players are known to swarm referees when an incident occurs during play. Now, only captains will be allowed to speak to the referee.
Double touch penalties
If a player scores a penalty and accidentally touches the ball twice, then the referee will ask for a retake. Nevertheless, the kick has to be unintentional
Should the player miss, then the defending team would be given an indirect free kick.
Supercomputer predicts Premier League winner
In a related story, TUKO.co.ke reported that Opta's supercomputer predicted the 2025/26 Premier League winner.
Liverpool are the leading contenders with a 28.5% chance, following an incredible 2024/25 campaign.
The Gunners were given a 24.3% chance, while Man City have an 18.8% chance.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
