VAR, timewasting and subs - new rules for the new season

The 2026-27 football season will introduce a host of new regulations aimed at speeding up the game and reducing interruptions. These rules, initially piloted at the 2022 World Cup, have caused some confusion during the early stages of the Carabao Cup. They will now be enforced across all levels of English football, from the Community Shield to the Premier League and Sunday leagues. The sole exception is the video assistant referee (VAR) system.

Key among these changes is the countdown system designed to penalize players who delay the restart of play following a goal. If a player fumbles the restart, a five-second countdown begins. Failure to restart within this timeframe results in the opposition receiving a throw-in. For goalkeepers taking too long for goal-kicks, the referee can award an immediate corner to the opposition.

Substitutes now face a stricter ten-second countdown to leave the field. If they fail to do so, they cannot re-enter for at least one minute, and the team must play with one man short. This rule was demonstrated when Middlesbrough's Will Lankshear was penalized after a slow substitution against Wrexham. Additionally, there are exemptions for injured players or security concerns.

Fan concerns about the one-minute substitution time have been raised, with some believing it's too long and could penalize genuinely injured players. However, there are exemptions for players challenged by fouls, eliminating the need for them to stay off the field in all cases.

Another contentious rule is the goalkeeper tactical timeout, aimed at preventing managers from breaking up the opposition's momentum. Under the new trial, if a goalkeeper requests treatment, an outfield player chosen by the coach must leave the field for one minute. The fourth official must be informed within ten seconds to avoid penalties. Exemptions apply for fouled goalkeepers or those bleeding.