New Season Rule Changes

New rule changes for Bristol City and Bristol Rovers as EFL season approaches
The EFL and PGMO have issued a statement explaining new rule changes across the three divisions

The EFL and the PGMOL (the body responsible for refereeing in English professional football) have issued a statement on how time-keeping will change across the three divisions that make up the Football League this season with the 2023/24 campaign set to get underway next weekend.

In the statement, the EFL and the PGMOL state that they 'are committed to ensure a more accurate calculation of additional time alongside an improvement in the amount of time the ball is in-play from the start of the new season.'

With emphasis on ensuring that the ball remains in play for longer, the statement goes on to say that 'the exact time lost when certain game events occur will now be added' as opposed to the previous policy that saw 'a nominal period of time added for certain game events.' These include 'goals and subsequent celebrations, substitutions, injuries and treatment time (if required), penalties (from moment of offence to the whistle for the penalty kick) and red cards (from moment of offence to when the player leaves the field).

The EFL will also adopt the 'multi-ball' system which incorporates more balls being available from the touchline so that the time taken for play to resume after a throw-in, corner etc. is reduced.

Players will also face a stricter approach if they are proven guilty of 'clear/deliberate actions that are impactful in delaying the restart of play with players cautioned if they are guilty of delaying the restart of play or failing to respect the required distance at free-kicks.'

These changes proved successful at last year's Men's World Cup as well as the ongoing Women's World Cup.

Additionally, injury treatment will take place off the field of play unless a goalkeeper is injured, a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need attention, players from the same team have collided and need attention, a severe injury has occurred, a player is injured as the result of a physical offence for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off (e.g., reckless or serious foul challenge), if the assessment/treatment is completed quickly or a penalty has been awarded and the injured player will be the taker.

After the restart, 'a period of time - not less than 30 seconds- will be afforded for the player to be treated and they will not return to the pitch before this period has elapsed.'

Alongside time-keeping changes, there will also be a key law change in regard to the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity and the offside rule.

The new wording of the definition of denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity is 'where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick.'

In terms of punishment, a yellow card will be issued if the offence was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball whilst a red card will be shown in all other circumstances (e.g., holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball).

Regarding offside, the IFAB (International Football Association Board) and FIFA have 'clarified the guidelines for determining a deliberate play by a defender.'

A deliberate play is when a player has control of the ball and with the possibility of passing the ball to a team-mate, gaining possession of the ball or clearing the ball (e.g., by kicking or heading it).

Both Bristol City and Bristol Rovers get their respective Championship and League One campaigns underway next Saturday (August 5) with the Robins hosting Preston whilst the Gas travel to Portsmouth.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-clubs-receive-new-rules-8635478