Gary Neville says he 'doesn't like' new Premier League rule as it comes into play during Fulham vs Man Utd

Gary Neville voiced his frustrations over a new Premier League rule which he described as "a nonsense".

The Manchester United legend and former captain was on co-commentator duties for his ex team's clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage, where Bruno Fernandes blazed a penalty over the bar.

But the Sky Sports pundit was unhappy with a new regulation brought into the Premier League, which came into play.

Fulham defender Calvin Bassey had to go off the pitch after holding his head in the opening 45 minutes, with the referee making him stay on the sidelines for a period of 30 seconds.

The rule is in line with new protocol but Neville believes the introduction of the law lacks common sense and did not hold back with his view.

Speaking on air alongside Peter Drury, Neville said: "Hmm is he saying it's a head injury and he has to go off? I have to say I think this 30 second thing is a load of nonsense. You need to apply a little bit of common sense. I don't like it, at all. The team has to play with a man down for 30 seconds now."

Calvin Bassey had to go off briefly against Manchester United. Image: Getty

New rule was explained by former Premier League striker

Gillingham striker Sam Vokes was the first person to speak about the rule during an appearance on the Feast of Football podcast. His side experienced it first-hand in their 1-0 win over Walsall to kick off their campaign in League Two, with their centre-back out of the game for 30 seconds because he touched his head.

"The referees come in every pre-season, and they have to tick off every club,” Vokes stated.

“So we sit down with the referees for an hour or so while we have a meeting. We actually experienced it here (the rule change) on Saturday (in Gillingham’s 1-0 win over Walsall).

“So every time, which fans have got to be aware of, and we’ve got to be aware of as players now, if you do go up for a head collision, and if you touch your head, you physically touch your head, you have to go off for 30 seconds… which happened to us on the weekend.

“Our centre-half went up for a header and he knelt down a little bit and touched his head and he had to go off for 30 seconds.

“We played with no centre-half for 30 seconds, just as a concussion protocol, so he got checked up once and came back on.”