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Here's What You Need To Know About The New Premier League Rule Changes

Gavin Cooney
By Gavin Cooney
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There's been a few Premier League rule changes.

So while we know that a number of things will stay the same - Jose Mourinho has already returned to his obsessive psychological war with Arsene Wenger, there's already been talk of handshakes between Mou and Pep while we simply know that Tony Pulis will get 40 points for West Brom - some things are in fact changing.

This season will see the implementation of a raft of new rule changes approved by the International Football Association Board. These were announced before the Euros and many of them were trialled at the tournament, most notably an alteration to the kick-off, whereby the ball no longer had to travel forward.

This is not the only rule change, however. Here are some of the others that you'll notice:

The 'potentially good football trivia' rule

A player can now be sent-off before the game has even started. So any violent conduct in the warm-up or tunnel - Roy Keane/Patrick Viera impersonators take note - may result in a red card.

The record for the fastest red card in Premier League history will not actually be affected by this, however. Keith Gillespie received a red card for elbowing Stephen Hunt in the face when coming on as a substitute, and as the game had not actually restarted, he was technically sent off after zero seconds.

The partial end of the 'it's a triple punishment really, Jeff' rule

Yes, the 'I think it's a bit harsh for a player to be suspended as well having conceded a penalty and been sent off' is no more.

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The powers-that-be have swerved John Giles' alternative proposal (of the penalty is scored, a red card is given with the converse applied also) and instead propose that a player who commits an 'accidental' foul to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity be only given a yellow.

This is exactly what we all needed: further debate as to whether to regard something as accidental or intentional.

Yay.

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The 'protect physios from Jose Mourinho' rule

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Now, when a player is injured on the field and requires treatment, he will no longer be obliged to leave the field.

This is excellent news for the Manchester United medical team, given Jose Mourinho's outlandish reaction to Jon Fearn and Eva Carneiro on the opening day of last season.

The 'please, no more Simone Zazas' rule

At penalties, a player who "illegally feints" in his run-up to the ball will now be given a yellow card, and an indirect free-kick will be awarded to the opposition. An illegal feint is deemed coming to a full stop before taking the kick. Feints are still permitted.

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We can't wait to see who will be the first referee brave enough to enforce this rule.

Ah, who are we kidding: it'll be Clattenburg.

Below is a live picture of Simone Zaza, who is believed to be about to take his penalty against Germany, and is now in a race against the implementation of this new rule.

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The 'no more corners too crafty for their own good' rule 

This the old 'I'll wander over to take a corner, tap the ball, leave it for another person to take it and dribble with it' trick. Man United had a goal disallowed against Chelsea a number of years ago for this exact trick, executed by Giggs and Rooney.

The outlawing of this has now been officially recognised: the rules have been updated to say that the ball must have clearly moved for a corner to be deemed legal.

The 'look at rugby and the respect they have for their refs' rule

Mass crowding and berating of the referee is now banned in the rulebook: players chasing after refs to dispute decisions, arguing face-to-face wth referees and what is termed "visibly disrespectful" is punishable with a yellow card.

Red cards will now be issued to players who confront officials and use abusive language and/or gestures towards them.

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See Also: Brian Kerr Played A Blinder While Ripping The FAI On Soccer Republic

See Also: Manchester City Have Signed John Stones, But Boy Did They Balls Up The Announcement

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