By: Solomon Wise, 2024 August
The football season is back with 380 premier league matches to watch which commenced on 16 August 2024 and is expected to end on 25 May 2025. There are different rule changes to be enforced this season from the VAR station to on-field play which are:
TEAM NEWS
The team news now will be released 75 minutes before the kick-off which is 15 minutes earlier than the previous seasons, the premier league have launched their @PLMatchCenter on X to provide updates and officiating situations of matches.
SEMI-AUTOMATED OFFSIDE TECH. (SAOT)
This type of technology cuts off the VAR check for offside by a whole 31 seconds which will provide a quicker consistent placement of the virtual offside.
STOPPAGE TIME
Referees have been instructed only to add on stoppage time for a goal if the delay between the goal scored and kick-off goes beyond 30 seconds.
MULTIBALL
A total of 15 balls will be used during a match day to reduce time wasting during corners and throw-ins however, balls are placed on cones around the pitch for players to retrieve themselves quickly.
SUBS WARM-UP
In previous seasons a maximum of three substitutes per team were allowed to warm up on the sidelines, but now they have increased that to five substitutes to warm up.
SET-PIECES
Referees are set to get tough on holding, blocking and obstructing during from set-pieces such as corners and free-kicks.
HANDBALL
A player will be penalized by a yellow card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity with a handball that is not considered deliberate. Referees are instructed to consider the context of handball offences which is the player’s proximity to a ball.
There are some new rules in the 2024/25 EPL season, enjoy the rest of the season and do you think Manchester City will clinch their fifth straight title this season or which team are you supporting?
