Premier League introduces major rule changes with players facing new one-minute penalty

The new campaign of the Premier League is set to begin on Friday, August 21, when the current champions, Arsenal, will host Coventry City, after the Sky Blues won the Championship title last season.

Ahead of the new season, the Premier League has decided to take a leaf out of FIFA’s book, as they are set to introduce four new rules for the upcoming campaign; however, supporters will be pleased to know that hydration breaks are not being introduced.

The new rules will address injuries, restarts, substitutions, and VAR as the Premier League aims to solve or combat ‘issues’ identified in the current game.

While the Premier League have also looked to update their ‘Football Principles’ and ‘Refereeing Points of Emphasis’ to help fans understand how decisions are made, improve the experience in stadiums, and ensure the game is as entertaining and lively as possible.

General view inside the stadium as the LED screen displays that the first half hydration break is underway during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L

Injuries

Players who receive on-field injury treatment/assessment will be required to leave for at least one minute.

This is an increase from the 30 seconds previously used by the Premier League, as they aim to combat players going down injured to waste time, which could help speed up the game.

Restarts

A “five-second” countdown and restart reversal for clearly delaying throw-ins and goal-kicks.

If the time limit is exceeded, the throw-in is awarded to the opposing team; for a goal kick, the opposing team are awarded a corner. This rule is another measure to avoid players wasting time and to speed up the game.

Substitutions

A “10-second” time limit for players to leave the field when substituted. If the time limit is exceeded, the substitute cannot enter until the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed.

This once again is another way that the Premier League are aiming to speed up the game and to ensure that clubs cannot time waste with players walking slowly off the pitch.

Fourth Official Tom Bramall holds up the Premier League More than a game substitution board during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on March 14, 2026 in London, England. (Getty Images)

VAR

A VAR review for when second yellow cards are awarded to a player resulting in a red card, only for when players are awarded a second yellow card, rather than a potential second yellow card.

This is to ensure that a team is not punished by seeing their team reduced by a player if the referee may have made a mistake by awarding a second yellow card when it may be deemed wrong.

The ‘Premier League Football Principles’

The Premier League have also released a statement on their ‘Football Principles’ to help fans understand how they will want their referees to approach matches when it comes to making decisions and the supporters’ experience and ensure the game is as entertaining and lively as possible.

• Maintain high threshold for penalising challenges – not every contact is a foul – while protecting player safety.
• Maintain a high threshold for VAR intervention – "Referee’s Call" will stand unless, in the opinion of the VAR, based upon the evidence readily available, that a call is a clear and obvious error.
• More efficient application of VAR, including the improved use of semi-automated offside technology, to reduce VAR delays.
• Continue to focus on in-stadium VAR experience.
• Maintain stronger measures to reduce time-wasting and disruption tactics
• Continue a robust approach to improving participant behaviour on-field and in the technical area.

The ‘Refereeing Points of Emphasis’

Supporters have been told through this statement by the Premier League what the referees will be focusing on, as they look to focus on penalising certain infringements to attempt to rid them from the sport or discourage players from bending the rules in a certain way.

• Continue to deliver a "less is more" approach to penalising handball.
• Enhance recognition of holding offences on-field.
• Place a greater focus on challenges on goalkeepers where the attacking player clearly and unfairly impacts the ability of goalkeeper to move to ball.
• Deal proportionately when sanctioning hair-pulling through new guidance.
• Continue to deal robustly with clear actions intended to deceive the referee (simulation and embellishment).