Premier League presents six major rule amendments for 2024-25 season
The English Premier League 2024-25 campaign is just around the corner with Manchester United hosting Fulham in the season opener at Old Trafford to set gameweek one in motion. This season, Leicester City, the 2015–16 season champions are back in action in the English top-flight football after lifting the EFL Championship 2023-24 title.
Meanwhile, Southampton defeated Leeds United in the play-off fixture to gain promotion, alongside Ipswich Town marking their return after two decades following their promotion from the EFL Championship.
As the season is about to kick off, the Premier League has introduced six key changes in their rules and laws ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. So, let’s understand these rule changes that might affect the clubs in one way or another.
Number of Substitutes Warming up
Post-pandemic the number of substitutions was increased from the traditional three subs to five. The clubs were allowed to make five substitutions. In order to align, with the five-player substitution rule — the number of players allowed to warm ahead of the game has also been increased to five. Previously, it was limited to only three players on the touchlines.
Introduction of Multiball System
To minimise time wastage and delay in retrieving the ball, when it goes out which interrupts the flow and eventually slows down the pace of the game. In the multiball system, 15 balls will be placed on cones around the sidelines. The players would be able to resume play directly by picking the balls kept on cones and ball assistants won’t be allowed to throw it back to players. Unlike earlier times, when the ball boys used to throw it back to players.
Semi-Automated offside Technology
Following the mass outrage among the fans and clubs over the incorrect offside decision by the field referee and VAR. Consequently, the Premier League announced the commission of Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) from the 2024-25 season onwards. This technology was successfully used in Euro 2024 and in the Qatar World Cup 2022 respectively.
The computer vision cameras installed in the stadium will track the ball movement and data in real-time for each player. In case, the player touches the ball in an offside position the VAR official will be automatically alerted. VAR will verify the accuracy of the call and if offside is recorded — the on-field referee will be informed to make the call. It will subsequently fasten the entire procedure and minimise errors.
Added Time Calculations
To improve accuracy in added time, last season match officials added extended injury times at the end of the match following the Qatar World Cup trend. However, this season, the clubs will have an extra 30 seconds to celebrate their goal and restart the game and won’t be added in the injury time. Consequently, the amount of time being added at the end of the game is expected to drop significantly.
Change in Team News notifications
For years, the clubs were mandated to reveal their team news ahead of the game within 60 minutes before the kick-off. For a change, from the 2024-25 season onwards the fans will get to know their team’s lineup 15 minutes before the one-hour mark. Now, the EPL managers need to announce their lineup 70 minutes prior to the kick-off whistle.
VAR Improvements
Last season, the Video Assistant referee (VAR) was a subject of past criticism following their questionable decisions and irregular calls were heavily called out by managers and clubs.
PGMOL and the Premier League are focusing on improving the VAR interventions with more transparency over the call with better communication. The disallowed goals and goal checking — delays to start the game will be shown on big screens in the stadium.
Additionally, a brand new X account ‘Premier League Match Centre’ will provide real-time updates on the VAR decision live during every match, explaining the calls and decisions on social media.