In the Premier League this season, fans will see new rules that have been introduced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the organisation that oversees the Laws of the Game.
Competitions around the world also have their own frameworks set for how the game is managed and officiated in their fixtures.
The Premier League Football Principles is a framework that is informed by consultation with all of the game’s participants (fans, clubs, match officials) and made in agreement between the League and Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref), whose referees take charge of the matches.
This is why fans see Premier League matches refereed in a different way to matches in Europe, such as a higher threshold for fouls and intervention around Video Assistant Referees.
The refereeing key points of emphasis are laid out in the table below.
| Premier League Football Principles – Season 2026/27 |
|---|
| Maintain high threshold for penalising challenges – not every contact is a foul – while protecting player safety |
| Maintain a high threshold for VAR intervention – "Referee’s Call" will stand unless, in the opinion of the VAR, based upon the evidence readily available, that a call is a clear and obvious error |
| More efficient application of VAR, including the improved use of semi-automated offside technology, to reduce VAR delays |
| Continue to focus on in-stadium VAR experience |
| Continue a robust approach to improving participant behaviour on-field and in the technical area |
| Maintain stronger measures to reduce time-wasting and disruption tactics |
In addition to the “Football Principles” and “Refereeing Points of Emphasis” for 2026/27 season, there are changes to the Laws of the Games that are mandatory and will be implemented in the Premier League next season.
Injured players who go off
When play is stopped for an injury, the player will be required to leave for at least one minute (an increase from the 30 seconds previously used by the Premier League).
Delays of throw-ins and goal-kicks
A “five-second” countdown and restart reversal for clearly delaying throw-ins and goal-kicks (if the time limit is exceeded, the throw-in is awarded to the opposing team; for a goal-kick the opposing team are awarded a corner).
Time limits for substitutions
A “10-second” time limit for players to leave the field when substituted. If the time limit is exceeded, the substitute cannot enter until the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed.
VAR for second yellows
A VAR review for when second yellow cards are awarded to a player resulting in a red card (only for when players are awarded a clearly wrong second yellow card, rather than a potential second yellow card).
Goalkeeper tactical timeouts
A trial will take place for the 2026/27 season where if the game is stopped for a goalkeeper injury, the manager or head coach will have to nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch immediately.
The nominated player has to stay off the pitch for at least one minute after the restart of play.
Pro Ref, the organisation that managers match officials for the Premier League, says the trial “is designed to address occasions where goalkeeper injuries have been used to disrupt momentum, slow the game down or create opportunities for tactical instruction”.
New Laws that won’t be seen in 2026/27 Premier League
The Premier League does not intend to adopt IFAB's competition optional laws, some of which were seen in this summer’s FIFA 2026 World Cup as well as other elements.
These include:
VAR being able to review incorrectly awarded corners - the League is not opting to increase the VAR’s scope.
Hydration breaks – The League already has a protocol in place for drinks breaks to take for matches where the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius at kick-off.
Red-card protocol around players covering their mouths – The League operates a three-step discrimination protocol in stadium for player-reported abuse
Mistaken identity, yellows being reversed for diving – As per the IFAB clarification a yellow card (caution) which is not a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offence that was penalised; the offence itself cannot be reviewed/changed.
Premier League and Pro Ref Competition Guidance Handbook 2026/27
How semi-automated offside works
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