Premier League Has Set Precedent for Liverpool Punishment After ‘Rule Breaches’

The Premier League have set precedent after it emerged that Liverpool breached strict rules in their 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Sunday.

Liverpool suffered a fourth defeat in a row on Sunday, with Harry Maguire bagging a late winner to give United victory at Anfield for the first time since 2016.

Cody Gakpo had cancelled out Bryan Mbuemo's early strike but Maguire popped up with a header at the far post to inflict more misery on the out of form Premier League champions.

And in a new development, a report from the Daily Mail noted that the Reds are braced for a "showdown" with the Premier League for not following protocol in the fixture.

The multi-ball rules were brought in back in 2022. Image: Getty

It was noted that there were multiple breaches of the league's multi-ball system regulations, which were brought in back in 2022 in bid to speed up play and limit the amount of delays and timewasting.

The system requires balls to be placed on cones/tees for players to collect, with ball boys and girls are instructed to not hand balls over.

Against United, as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser, not only did the ball attendants threw the ball back to players but there was also one instance whereby Arne Slot chucked it to one of his stars - which is not permitted as the rule applies to those in the technical area.

Liverpool are only likely to be reminded that they must adhere to the rules but there is a recent instance whereby a club have been punished for not following multi-ball protocol.

Aston Villa were punished for ball breaches

In August, following a sanction agreement, Aston Villa were fined £125,000 for breaking the rules on five occasions 2024/25 - accepting the breach after ball boys and girls handed the ball to players.

What's more, a report found that extra balls were used when Villa players took corners against Spurs - as well as a ball thrown onto the pitch when opposition goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was preparing to take a goal kick.

According to The Athletic, the Premier League expressed concerns to Villa's “multiball supervisor” at half time of the 2-0 victory in May.

Villa had extra balls positioned for corner kicks. Image: Getty

In a decision ratified by three members of the Independent Judicial Panel, Unai Emery's side were also further punished as they were not allowed to use a multi-ball system in their first three games at Villa Park this season.

A statement from the Premier League said: "The Premier League has entered into a sanction agreement with Aston Villa FC after the club accepted it had breached the Premier League’s multiball rules.

"First introduced in the 2022/23 season, the multiball system is intended to maintain the flow of League matches, reduce delays and enhance the fan experience.

"Clubs are required to adopt a multiball system at every League match and adherence to the relevant rules and guidance is of vital importance to maintain consistency and, crucially, to ensure that home clubs do not gain a competitive advantage through their misuse of the system.

"The accepted breach was the club’s fifth of the multiball rules during the 2024/25 season. The club will pay a £125,000 fine and will be prohibited from operating the multiball system in its first three home League matches of the 2025/26 season."