Premier League Shake-Up: VAR & Keeper Rules Hit Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs

Arsenal Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham set to be impacted by Premier League rule change Premier League teams have been informed of the rule changes that will be implemented in the new season, particularly regarding VAR and goalkeepers' time wasting. footballlondon Bookmark Share Arsenal By Keifer MacDonald Jack Flintham 16:43, 22 JUL 2025 Bookmark A Premier League match ball (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) Sign up to the free Arsenal newsletter so you don't miss the latest Gunners news, straight to your inbox More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Sign up to the free Arsenal newsletter so you don't miss the latest Gunners news, straight to your inbox Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have been briefed on the rule amendments set to be introduced in the upcoming Premier League season , with particular focus on VAR and goalkeepers' time-wasting tactics. In anticipation of the professional football season's start, which begins for Leagues One and Two on the first weekend of August, IFAB has confirmed the rule changes that will be implemented. Two significant changes for Premier League clubs involve VAR. IFAB has declared that leagues will be permitted to allow their referees to clarify VAR decisions in-stadium via the speaker systems. This will occur when there has been a VAR review or an extended VAR check, reports the Manchester Evening News . The Premier League announced in February that they were optimistic about implementing this change at the beginning of the 2025/26 season. It has already been tested in several high-profile matches, including in the Carabao Cup last season. In the meantime, IFAB has taken a firm stance on goalkeepers retaining the ball for too long. From next season, keepers will be allowed to hold onto the ball for eight seconds, up from the previous six. However, referees will raise their arms after three seconds and start a countdown from five to ensure the ball is released within the time limit. Failure to comply will result in a corner kick being awarded to the opposing team. A few minor tweaks have also been made to the game's rules that clubs need to familiarise themselves with. For instance, referees will insist that corners are taken from the side closest to where the goalkeeper was positioned when they conceded the corner. Additionally, if a substitute or injured player off the pitch, or a coach, kicks the ball onto the field, an indirect free kick will be given without any further penalties. This rule aims to prevent instances where players and coaches have kicked the ball while it was still in play to keep the game flowing. Previously, such actions would have resulted in a booking. Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow Football London Facebook X (Twitter) More On Arsenal Spurs Chelsea Premier League

A Premier League match ball (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have been briefed on the rule amendments set to be introduced in the upcoming Premier League season , with particular focus on VAR and goalkeepers' time-wasting tactics.

In anticipation of the professional football season's start, which begins for Leagues One and Two on the first weekend of August, IFAB has confirmed the rule changes that will be implemented. Two significant changes for Premier League clubs involve VAR.

IFAB has declared that leagues will be permitted to allow their referees to clarify VAR decisions in-stadium via the speaker systems. This will occur when there has been a VAR review or an extended VAR check, reports the Manchester Evening News .

The Premier League announced in February that they were optimistic about implementing this change at the beginning of the 2025/26 season. It has already been tested in several high-profile matches, including in the Carabao Cup last season.

In the meantime, IFAB has taken a firm stance on goalkeepers retaining the ball for too long. From next season, keepers will be allowed to hold onto the ball for eight seconds, up from the previous six.

However, referees will raise their arms after three seconds and start a countdown from five to ensure the ball is released within the time limit. Failure to comply will result in a corner kick being awarded to the opposing team.

A few minor tweaks have also been made to the game's rules that clubs need to familiarise themselves with. For instance, referees will insist that corners are taken from the side closest to where the goalkeeper was positioned when they conceded the corner.

Additionally, if a substitute or injured player off the pitch, or a coach, kicks the ball onto the field, an indirect free kick will be given without any further penalties.

This rule aims to prevent instances where players and coaches have kicked the ball while it was still in play to keep the game flowing.

Previously, such actions would have resulted in a booking.