Softfootball has gathered that new guidelines have been launched forward of the 2026/27 Premier League season, which begins on Friday, 12 August 2026. The league organisers have added 5 new laws which embody the next:
Damage stoppage rule
Injured gamers should now keep off the pitch for at the very least 1 minute, elevated from 30 seconds.
Restart countdown
A 5‑second countdown for throw‑ins and aim‑kicks; if delayed, the restart is reversed.
Substitution exit rule
Substituted gamers have 10 seconds to go away the sphere, or their alternative waits till the following stoppage.
Second yellow VAR assessment
A brand new VAR verify particularly for clearly fallacious second yellow playing cards that end in a pink.
Goalkeeper damage trial
Managers should nominate an outfield participant to go away the pitch for one minute every time play is stopped for a goalkeeper damage.
Softfootball may also affirm that a number of different proposed guidelines haven’t been launched, together with:
- Hydration breaks
- VAR critiques for incorrectly awarded corners
- Purple‑card protocol for gamers protecting their mouths
- Yellow playing cards being reversed for mistaken id or diving
- VAR correcting who was booked, not the choice itself
