The Premier League is over now and player are out for a period not less than a month before they return back for the start of a new one which is expected to come with more thrills, spills and without doubt controversies just like any other season.
With every week of match results comes another set of decisions and suggestions left to be debated, from fouls that have been given, cards issued, penalties awarded as well a controversial free kicks among many others that happen during a match not forgetting altercations with managers.
One of the many things all Premier League clubs and their fans will be pleased to know, is that the IFAB (International Football Association Board) has now approved several changes to the Laws of the Game ahead of next season. With any luck, these should tighten up the games grey areas to leave us nodding in agreement more so than crying in disbelief.
Handballs
From next season, if the ball hits an attackers arm in the build-up to a goal be it accidental or otherwise the goal will be disallowed.
In addition, defending teams will be awarded a free-kick if an inadvertent handball creates an advantage for the opposing team.
Drop Balls
Old fashioned drop balls are a thing of the past, with the process of sending the ball back to the last team in possession now the due procedure which the body (IFAB) is changing completely.
“The current dropped ball procedure often leads to a ‘manufactured’ restart which is ‘exploited’ unfairly or an aggressive confrontation,” the IFAB explained.
“Returning the ball to the team that last played it restores what was ‘lost’ when play was stopped, except in the penalty area where it is simpler to return the ball to the goalkeeper.
“To prevent that team gaining an unfair advantage, all players of both teams, except the player receiving the ball, must be at least 4m (4.5 yards) away.”
Substitutions
One of the mostly abused time wasting moments is the time taken to do a substitution where a player would drag selves slowly out of the field that will slowly be cut, from next season onwards, whenever a player is substituted, they no longer have to leave the field near to the dugouts.
Instead, they must leave the field at the nearest point, thus avoiding any pesky time-wasters who stroll off nonchalantly late on.
When u still want to play and a substitute is waiting for u. pic.twitter.com/8XuLeqvFPh
— Clement Kapaipi (@KapaipiClement) May 20, 2019
How long will it be until someone doesn’t pay attention and passes the ball to their teammate walking around the pitch perimeter though is another question?
Free Kicks
Attackers are no longer allowed in the wall at free kicks and the wall does have to contain at least three players however, at which point all attackers must be at least a metre away.
“There is no legitimate tactical justification for attackers to be in the ‘wall’ and their presence is against the ‘spirit of the game’ and often damages the image of the game,” an IFAB statement explained.
Penalty spot Kicks
• 18 goals
• 17 with his left foot
• 9 from outside the box
• 6 assists
• 5 direct free-kicks
• 3 penaltiesWhat a season so far, @HarryWilson_! ⭐ pic.twitter.com/DJETGfdLI9
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) May 19, 2019
The goalkeepers staying on the line at penalties rule is one that very rarely seems to be enforced fully but IFAB is now stating that from next season keepers must have one foot on the line and not only that, but they are also forbidden from touching the posts before the kick.
Cards for Manager
And finally, the managers have not been forgotten, a welcome addition to the rule changes will now see coaches dealt the same punishment as players, with referees allowed to brandish yellow and red cards to managers and backroom staff.