{
  "id": 1022898,
  "title": "VAR, timewasting and subs – new rules for the new season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/var-timewasting-and-subs-new-rules-for-the-new-season",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-15T11:16:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/var-timewasting-and-subs-new-rules-for-the-new-season/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026-27 football season will introduce numerous new rules aimed at reducing timewasting and increasing the ball's time in play. These changes were first implemented at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but have faced confusion in earlier competitions. The rules will apply throughout English football, from grassroots to the Premier League, with only the video assistant referee (VAR) system remaining unchanged.\n\nTo cut down on time-wasting, a countdown will be introduced for goal-kicks and throw-ins. Players will not be allowed to delay the restart of play, and any disruption may trigger a countdown. If the countdown expires, the referee will award the throw to the opposing team. This rule does not cover set-piece routines but may start once players are in position. Goalkeepers will receive a corner instead of a throw if they take too long over goal-kicks towards the end of games.\n\nSubstituted players must now leave the field within ten seconds. If they fail to do so, they will be unable to re-enter the field for a minimum of one minute, and the team must play with ten players. This rule was enforced for the first time in the Carabao Cup between Middlesbrough and Wrexham, where Middlesbrough's Will Lankshear was issued a substitution warning for jogging off the pitch while clapping the fans. The substitution time limit applies to all circumstances, with some exceptions for injured players or security concerns.\n\nOther new laws include the removal of goalkeeper tactical timeouts, which are used to give new instructions or impact the momentum of the opposition. If a goalkeeper requests treatment, an outfield player chosen by the coach will leave the field for one minute. The rule also applies to other countries' trials, with some exemptions for fouled or bleeding goalkeepers. Handling the ball in the penalty area will also see changes, with teams encouraged to take a short goal-kick inside the box instead of punting it long.",
  "summary": "The 2026-27 season will feature an unprecedented number of new laws, mostly designed to tackle tempo disruption and make the game quicker. These rules were all initially rolled out at the World Cup, but still caused confusion in the first round of the Carabao Cup last weekend. These changes will be deployed right through English […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Countdown introduced for goal-kicks and throw-ins to reduce timewasting.",
    "Substituted players must leave field within ten seconds, face one-minute ban for delay.",
    "Goalkeepers receive corner instead of throw if goal-kick takes too long near game end."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}