Follow usThe new Premier League season kicks off today and alongside the on-field excitement come fresh rule changes that players and team staff will need to adapt to.
One of the most notable updates is the introduction of the “eight-second” rule for goalkeepers. From this season, keepers will only have eight seconds to release the ball before conceding a corner kick to the opposition. The rule, first tested at the Club World Cup, is designed to reduce wasted time and is expected to be rolled out to other top competitions in the near future.
What do you think of these Premier League rule changes for the new season? 🤔
– If a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for longer than eight seconds, a corner will be awarded to the opposing team
– Only captains of each club will be allowed to approach the referee during a match… pic.twitter.com/EjwBmEPU23
— Coral (@Coral) August 14, 2025
Another adjustment concerns penalty kicks. Previously, if a taker accidentally made a double touch — striking the ball twice before it touched another player — the penalty would be disallowed. Now, in such cases, the spot kick will simply be retaken. The change follows high-profile incidents last season, including Julian Alvarez’s cancelled penalty in the Madrid derby during the Champions League.
There’s also a new sanction for outside interference: if a player not on the field — including substitutes, sent-off players, or team officials — touches the ball before it has gone out of play, the opposing side will be awarded an indirect free kick.
Finally, the league will strictly enforce the rule that only team captains can approach the referee. Any other player attempting to do so risks an immediate yellow card. If the captain is a goalkeeper, the team may nominate an outfield player to take on this role.
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