The 12 biggest rule changes for the 2016/17 Premier League season

A change is gonna come.

Almost 100 changes are gonna come, to be more accurate.

Ahead of the new season, The International Football Association Board (IFAB) announced more than 95 changes to the current rules and while we won’t make you sit through all of them, here are 12 worth taking note of, as per Sky Sports.

1 – Kick-off

Just as we saw in the European Championships, the ball no longer has to go forward from kick-off.

What were those kickoffs all about? https://t.co/pJbpyD2QvT

— SportsJOE (@SportsJOE_UK) June 13, 2016

2 – Pre-match red cards

This means that the period during which players can be sent off has been extended.

Players can be given their marching orders if they commit a red card offence in the warm-up or in the tunnel.

The law states that “a player may be sent off any time between the pre-match inspection and when the referee leaves the field at the end of the game.”

3 – An end to the ‘triple-punishment law’

Previously, players who denied a clear goalscoring opportunity in the penalty box would be sent off, have a penalty awarded against them and receive a suspension.

But with the amendment, the red card is no longer a must as the resulting penalty kick simply replaces the goalscoring opportunity that was originally denied.

The new rule states: “When a denial of a goalscoring opportunity offence is committed by a defender in the penalty area, the penalty kick effectively restores the goalscoring opportunity so the punishment for the player should be less strong (e.g. a yellow card) than when the offence is committed outside the penalty area. However, when the offence is handball or clearly not a genuine attempt to play or challenge for the ball, the player will be sent off.”

4 – Treating injuries

This is one that has irked fans for a while.

It essentially boils down to a change whereby players who require treatment after being fouled will no longer be forced to leave the field of play if the fouling player receives a yellow or red card for the challenge.

For years it seemed unfair that players were able to foul, concede a free kick, take a yellow card for the team and still remain at a numerical advantage for the set piece while the injured opponent remained on the touchline.

That’s no longer the case.

5 – Changing boots/equipment

In the past, players who left the field to change boots would need the referee to allow them back on to the pitch.

Now, the fourth official or assistant referee can examine the change of equipment and allow the player to return.

6 – Penalties

This one could cause controversy as now penalty takers are no longer allowed to fake to shoot, with a punishment of a yellow card to offenders.

They are still allowed to feint during the run-up but once the run-up is complete, they are no longer permitted to stop and fake a shot at goal. 

7 – Infringements by substitutes/team officials

Simple one, this. If any member of a side’s backroom team or a substitute interferes with play, a free kick or penalty will be awarded to the opposition team.

Previously a drop ball or indirect free kick would be the resultant punishment but, in an attempt to combat the behaviour of teams like Atletico Madrid last season, the punishment is now clearer and more severe.

8 – Colour of undergarments

Undershorts or undershirts worn by players must now be the same colour as the kit.

Garments worn under shorts must be the same colour as the shorts themselves or the lowest part of the shorts while garments worn under shirts must be the same colour as the shirt sleeve.

9 – Offside

They’re always trying to clarify this bloody one.

The law hammers home the point that the halfway line is neutral and that a player must have a part of his body other than arms or hands over the halfway line to be considered offside.

Also, free kicks awarded from offside decisions will now always be taken from exactly where the offence took place.

10 – Handball

The law has been changed so that handballs “preventing an opponent gaining possession” are no longer considered bookable offences.

Now the law states that a player should be booked if a handball “stops/interferes with a promising attack”.

11 – Restarts

This is another clarification that states that the ball must “clearly move” from corners or free kicks to become alive.

It’s an attempt to clamp down on apparently unsporting behaviour that came when players would gently touch the ball in an attempt to catch the opposition off-guard.

12 – Player behaviour

Probably the most welcome law of the bunch. Dissent is really being clamped down this season on as referees are encouraged to punish “visibly disrespectful” behaviour with yellow cards.

Insulting and offensive language from players will now be punished with red cards in an attempt to “reduce disrespectful conduct such as aggressively challenging decisions or running from distance to confront an official.”

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