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Topics: Fan Reactions, Arsenal, Premier League, PGMOL, Football
Ryan Smart
Topics: Fan Reactions, Arsenal, Premier League, PGMOL, Football
The PGMOL are set to introduce a major change for the 2024/25 Premier League season - and fans think it will create guaranteed chaos.
The refereeing body - full name Professional Game Match Officials Limited - are in charge of officiating across English football, and also control how VAR is operated.
There are already significant adjustments in place for or during the upcoming season, including the introduction of semi-automated offsides for the first time.
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The Premier League has also launched its own Match Centre account on Twitter, which will provide live explainers of VAR decisions and have access to communications from the VAR Hub in Stockley Park.
Elsewhere, there will be a slight adjustment to handball rules - while the loosening of another current regulation may change games significantly.
The Times report that PGMOL will change the way in which holding (blocking or obstructing) is officiated, particularly when it comes to set pieces.
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It is claimed that the offence will be penalised much more stringently when a player decides to stop the movement of an opponent.
This includes the holding of a goalkeeper, in order to restrict their movement or ability to reach the ball, inside the area at a set piece.
In turn, that will likely result in more penalties - adding another layer of drama to Premier League action this season.
But it could also lead to more goals being ruled out for infringements - and fans immediately thought of one player in particular who will be affected by the change.
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One fan admitted: "Ben White getting nerfed."
Another wrote: "Ben White will take s**thousery to the next level this season and I'm here for it."
A third added: "Laughing at the fact they did this just for Ben White and he's not even in the box for set pieces anymore."