A swathe of new rules is to be enforced in the upcoming 2023-2024 English Premier League season, with two of such rules implemented in this past weekend’s Community Shield.
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta was booked by referee Stuart Atwell for gesticulating for a yellow card to be shown to Rodri for a challenge on Kai Havertz in the game.
The Arsenal boss gained notoriety last season for his sometimes over-the-top antics in the dugout which drew widespread criticism from opposing managers and fans.
Another new rule that was implemented this past weekend was related to timekeeping, as was done at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where games were consistently played through the 100th minute.
The ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup is applying the same rules and the EPL will follow suit this season to ensure referees add more additional time after regulation time expires.
Time used up in goal celebrations, injury breaks and substitutions will be added by referees, just as 11 minutes were added after regulation time in the Community Shield mainly to treat head injuries to Kyle Walker and Thomas Partey.
Another standout rule change is that Premier League players won’t get automatically red-carded for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
The goalkeeper sportsmanship law, popularly known as the Emiliano Martinez law, will be used by referees to ensure goalkeepers don’t touch the crossbar or goalposts before penalty kicks are taken.
Martinez grabbed the headlines at the 2022 World Cup for his flamboyant pre-penalty kick acts aimed at throwing the kicktakers off.
Referees will be sterner on acts considered to be time-wasting, including kicking the ball away and goalkeepers taking a long time to take goal kicks.
When more than one player of a team crowds a referee to protest a decision, such players are to be shown a yellow card; this rule is to be heavily enforced this season.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher stated that this rule will be a ‘short-term pain for long-term gain’.
Players and coaches have been briefed about the new rules and are expected to comply with them.
