Premier League rule changes explained: VAR, handball, free-kicks, substitutions and penalties

Screening system: former referee Neil Swarbrick sits a a VAR station
PA
Simon Johnson9 August 2019

The Premier League is back and while there are the customary new signings, coaches and shirts for fans to get used to, there are a number of rule changes as well. Standard Sport looks at what is being brought in for the 2019-20 season.

VAR: The plan is to use it for just ‘serious missed incidents’ or ‘clear and obvious errors’. That includes goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents and cases of mistaken identity. Decisions will be explained to the crowd, via screens and public address systems.

Winter break: There will only be five fixtures held on February 8 and the remaining five a week later.

Handball: Players can be penalised for accidental as well as deliberate handball. For example, if the ball hits an individual on the arm and is deemed to have made their frame bigger. Any goal scored with the arm (or used in the build-up) will not count.

Goal kicks: A goalkeeper has the option to pass the ball to a team-mate in the area, however opponents must still stay outside the box.

Free-kicks: When there is a wall containing at least three players, the side awarded the free-kick can no longer add players to the wall. They have to stand at least one yard away.

Substitutions: To prevent time-wasting, substituted players have to leave the pitch at the nearest point.

Coaches shown cards: Depending on the offence, managers will be shown yellow and red cards from now on in an effort to improve touchline behaviour.

No more drop balls: Possession will go to the team that last touched the ball before the referee stopped play.

Penalties: Keepers must have at least one foot on the line when a kick is taken, cannot feign movement beforehand, stand behind the line or touch the frame of the goal, otherwise the penalty will be retaken.

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