Several major rule changes will come into effect in English football from the 2026/27 season, with the new regulations designed primarily to reduce time-wasting, speed up restarts and improve the flow of matches.
The changes affect goal-kicks, throw-ins, substitutions, injuries, goalkeeper treatment, handball and VAR interventions.
Five-Second Countdown for Restarts
Referees will have the power to start a visible five-second countdown when they believe a player is deliberately delaying a restart.
Players who take too long over a throw-in could see possession awarded to the opposition, while goalkeepers who deliberately delay taking a goal-kick could concede a corner to the opposing team.
Towels Banned for Throw-Ins
Players will no longer be permitted to use towels to dry the ball before taking a throw-in.
The measure is another attempt to eliminate unnecessary delays during restarts.
New Substitution Exit Rule
Substituted players will have 10 seconds to leave the field at the nearest point.
If a player takes longer than the allotted time, the incoming substitute will have to wait for at least one minute before entering the pitch.
The team will consequently be forced to play temporarily with 10 players.
One-Minute Injury Rule
Players whose actions cause the referee to stop the match for an injury will generally be required to leave the field for one minute before returning.
There will, however, be exceptions, including certain situations where an opposing player receives a yellow or red card in connection with the incident.
Goalkeeper Tactical Timeouts Targeted
Goalkeepers will also face new restrictions when requesting treatment.
If a goalkeeper asks for treatment without qualifying for one of the specified exemptions, their team will temporarily have to remove an outfield player for one minute.
The rule is intended to prevent goalkeepers from deliberately using injury stoppages as an opportunity for tactical team talks.
Handball Following Goal-Kicks
A goal-kick will officially be considered taken once the goalkeeper or defender kicks the ball.
Therefore, if a defender handles the ball after the goal-kick has been taken, a penalty can be awarded where the handball offence meets the relevant criteria.
Expanded VAR Powers
VAR will also have an expanded role under the new regulations.
Video officials will be permitted to review a second yellow-card offence when it results in a player’s dismissal.
VAR can also intervene in certain attacking fouls committed before a set-piece is taken if the incident subsequently directly leads to a goal, penalty or disciplinary sanction.
The changes represent a significant effort to reduce avoidable delays and ensure that matches are played with greater continuity during the 2026/27 campaign.
