21/06/2024
🚨 SOME KEY CHANGES AHEAD OF 2024/25 SEASON
1- INTRODUCING SEMI-AUTOMATED OFFSIDES
We've been used to seeing the semi-automated offside technology deployed in the Champions League and at major tournaments, but now it's coming to England's top flight. In April, it was announced that the Premier League's clubs had approved the introduction of the system, which could reportedly cut VAR offside checks by 31 seconds. Premier League's statement confirms, the state of the art technology "will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking."
Although, it won't be in place for the start of the campaign, as the current plan is to bring it in this autumn, following one of the international breaks.
2- FURTHER VAR CHANGES
A statement released earlier in June promised improvement in six key areas, starting with
i- Maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention and reducing delays to the game.
ii- Communication with fans regarding decisions will also be enhanced
iii- In-stadium announcements from referees, more big-screen replays
iv- Expanded communications campaigns all pledged.
v- More training will be given to officials
vi- Premier League and PGMOL will keep lobbying IFAB to allow greater flexibility in the Laws of the Game to allow live video and audio broadcast during VAR reviews.
3- TEAM NEWS ALTERATIONS
The Premier League has removed its team news embargo, which means that matchday Line ups and substitutes can now be made public 1hr 15 mins before each kick-off, rather than one hour. This brings the top flight in line with European competitions.
4- NO WINTER BREAK
The mid-season pause in action, which was brought in during the 2019/20 campaign, split a Premier League matchweek in two. This allowed each team to have at least a fortnight without a match. However, due to important changes regarding European competitions and the FA Cup, this will no longer happen. Instead, the campaign will start a little later than usual, on 17 August, allowing clubs to 'be better able to ensure that players get a consecutive three-week break in the summer.'
