Premier League kicks off with rule change

As the Premier League kicks off on Friday, August 15, the English top flight has introduced new rules for the 2025/2026 season. 

Defending champions Liverpool will host Bournemouth on at Anfield in their first competitive game since the death of Diogo Jota and also the opener for the new season. 

Premier League referees will enforce stricter measures against holding at set-pieces and player simulation in the upcoming season, following feedback from top-flight clubs. 

Reports indicate that officials will penalise players caught grappling opponents with two arms, focusing more on the opponent than the ball, or otherwise restricting an attacker’s movement during set-piece situations.

The clampdown comes amid a growing tactical emphasis on set-pieces across the league. Many clubs have invested in specialist set-piece coaches to maximise scoring opportunities, with teams like Arsenal, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa reaping significant rewards from corners, free-kicks, and throw-ins during the previous campaign.

Alongside the holding crackdown, referees will also target simulation, commonly known as diving, with a renewed focus on maintaining the flow and fairness of matches. 

Decisions regarding penalties will continue to be reviewed by the video assistant referee (VAR), although the high threshold for intervention will remain unless a clear and obvious error is identified.

The 2025/26 season will also see the introduction of semi-automated offside technology in the Premier League. The system, already in use in other major competitions, is expected to significantly reduce the lengthy VAR delays that have frustrated fans, players, and pundits in recent seasons.

While the rule changes aim to improve fairness and clarity, there is acknowledgment that clubs often adapt quickly to new officiating trends. How managers and players adjust their set-piece strategies to comply with, or exploit, the tighter interpretations will be closely watched.

The new directives will be tested almost immediately, with Liverpool’s fixture against Bournemouth on Friday night potentially offering the first glimpse of how referees intend to enforce the updated rules during competitive matches.