Sports
New penalty, substitutes rules as Premier League begins this weekend
As clubs set to begin the 2022/23 campaign this weekend, the Premier League has announced a new set of rules and changes that would guide the competition.
Some of the changes include increase in substitutes, multiball system, penalty rules, among many others.
FIVE SUBSTITUTES
Managers can now make five substitutions after this was raised from three, with agreement reached on the subject at a summer meeting between the clubs.
The changes can be made on three occasions during a match, with an additional opportunity at half-time. A total of nine subs can be named on the bench, up from seven in 2021/22.
MULTIBALL SYSTEM
In an attempt to cut down on time-wasting, this system will be reintroduced after being used when games were behind closed doors. A total of 10 balls will be used, one on the pitch, one with the fourth official and another eight positioned around the perimeter of the pitch. The idea is to keep the game flowing and limit delays in restarting the action.
NEW MATCH OFFICIALS
Four new officials have been promoted by PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited).
Tom Bramall, Natalie Aspinall, Nick Greenhalgh and Steve Meredith are the fresh faces. Remember the likes of Mike Dean, Kevin Friend, Jon Moss and Martin Atkinson have new roles and will not be refereeing Premier League fixtures.
PENALTY RULE CHANGE
The goalkeeper’s position for a penalty kick has been amended in the IFAB Laws of the Game.
When the ball is kicked, the keeper must have at least part of one foot touching, or in line with, or behind the goalline. The law still requires a keeper to have at least part of one foot on or above the line until the moment the spot-kick is taken. Therefore, the keeper may not stand behind, or in front of, the goalline.
MATCH POSTPONEMENTS
The guidance has been revised if a club has an insufficient number of players. Club requests to the board will continue to be considered on their facts and assessed on a case-by-case basis.
READ ALSO: Buhari pledges ”better life” for Nigerian judges
Approval will only be granted where the impact of player unavailability on a club’s squad is “truly exceptional and where the club concerned have taken all reasonable steps to avoid the necessity to make the application”.
CHANGE TO OFFSIDE
IFAB has clarified the offside rule and explained what constitutes defending players “deliberately playing” the ball.
Now, an offside player will not automatically become onside upon a defender touching the ball. The guideline states: “Deliberate play is when a player has control of the ball with the possibility of passing the ball to a team-mate, gaining possession of the ball, or clearing the ball. If the pass, attempt to gain possession or clearance by the player in control of the ball is inaccurate or unsuccessful, this does not negate the fact that the player deliberately played the ball.”
NO ROOM FOR RACISM
The club captains have decided to use specific moments during the campaign to take the knee, rather than before every game. This will include during the opening round of the season this weekend.
It will also occur during the ‘No Room for Racism’ match rounds in October and March, Boxing Day fixtures and the final day of the campaign.
NEW OPPONENTS
There are also, of course, more obvious things to be aware of this term.
Nottingham Forest are back in the top flight for the first time this century, and are likely to have United loanee Dean Henderson in goal. Bournemouth and Fulham are the other two newly promoted sides.
SEASON INTERRUPTION
Obviously, the biggest change is the pause in the Premier League programme due to the World Cup taking place this winter in Qatar. The domestic top-flight season stops on 12/13 November and resumes on Boxing Day (26 December).
Spain’s celebrations after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup were overshadowed by tragedy after a 13-year-old boy died and several others were injured when a fountain collapsed during jubilant scenes in the western Spanish town of Ciudad Rodrigo.
The heartbreaking incident occurred shortly after Spain secured a historic 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, ending a 16-year wait for the country’s second global football title.
RELATED NEWS: BREAKING: Spain Dethrone Argentina to Win 2026 FIFA World Cup
According to local authorities, emergency services received multiple distress calls at around 12:30 a.m. local time after a fountain packed with celebrating fans suddenly collapsed.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Ciudad Rodrigo City Hall confirmed the teenager’s death and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
“The city hall of Ciudad Rodrigo expresses its sadness and presents its condolences for the death of a boy of 13.”
The municipality described the incident as a devastating turn of events, saying: “What should have been a celebration of Spain’s team in the football World Cup turned into tragedy.”
Emergency services also confirmed that another youth was injured in the collapse, while several others sustained injuries as rescue teams rushed to the scene.
Local media reported that the fountain gave way under the weight of dozens of fans who had climbed onto the structure to celebrate Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The fatal accident cast a somber mood over celebrations across the football-loving nation, with many expressing grief just hours after Spain’s memorable victory on the world stage.
Spain have been crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating defending champions Argentina in a thrilling final to reclaim football’s biggest prize.
La Roja delivered a composed and determined performance on the grandest stage, overcoming the South American giants to secure their second FIFA World Cup title and their first since their historic triumph in 2010.
The highly anticipated showdown lived up to expectations as both teams battled fiercely for global supremacy.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: England Crush France 6-4 to Clinch World Cup Bronze
However, Spain’s tactical discipline, attacking quality, and defensive resilience proved decisive as they ended Argentina’s reign as world champions.
Spain’s road to glory included impressive victories over some of the tournament’s strongest sides, underlining their dominance throughout the competition.
The triumph also marks the culmination of a remarkable resurgence led by a talented new generation of stars, who have restored Spain to the pinnacle of world football.
For Argentina, the defeat ends their hopes of retaining the World Cup crown, despite another spirited campaign that saw them reach a second consecutive final.
Spain’s victory cements their place among football’s elite once again, bringing the 2026 FIFA World Cup to a memorable conclusion.
England ended their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on a high after defeating France 6-4 in a pulsating third-place playoff at Miami Stadium on Saturday to secure the bronze medal.
Thomas Tuchel’s men produced an electric attacking display, storming into a commanding four-goal lead before France launched a spirited comeback.
SEE ALSO: FIFA Makes Historic Change as World Cup Winners to Receive Championship Rings
Declan Rice opened the scoring early, while Ezri Konsa doubled England’s advantage. Bukayo Saka then stole the show with a first-half brace as the Three Lions headed into the break with complete control of the contest.
France responded strongly after halftime, with captain Kylian Mbappé leading the charge by scoring twice.
Bradley Barcola also found the net to reduce the deficit and briefly raise hopes of an unlikely comeback for Les Bleus.
However, England had the final say as Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time to seal a thrilling 5-3 victory and confirm England’s third-place finish at the tournament.
The victory marked a fitting response to England’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina and secured the nation’s best World Cup finish since 1966.
France, meanwhile, ended the tournament in fourth place after suffering back-to-back defeats in the knockout stage.
Attention now shifts to Sunday’s World Cup final, where Spain will battle defending champions Argentina for football’s biggest prize.
NLNG Celebrates Nnaji’s Contribution to Science, Innovation
NUPRC Gives Licencees 90-Day Deadline to Meet Conditions
Lokpobiri Credits PIA with Ending Arbitrary Oil Blocks Allocation
NUPRC Urges Prompt Compliance, Awards 37 Oil Blocks
Petrol Loading Resumes as Depot Prices Climb
Sahara Group Drives Africa’s Energy Future with Asharami Square 3.0
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
