Upon speaking to a few of the fans, some were unaware of rule changes in the EFL this season? Starting from the 2023/24 campaign, match officials are switching up how they keep time during games.
More Accurate Extra Time
Following the latest IFAB guidelines, the EFL and PGMOL want to make sure extra time is calculated more accurately. They also aim to increase how much the ball is actually in play this season.
Here are the main changes kicking in from the first EFL game on August 4th:
•Goals and Celebrations: The exact time spent on goals and the celebrations after will be added.
•Substitutions: Time taken for player swaps will be counted precisely.
•Injuries and Treatment: If a player needs help, the exact time will be added.
•Penalties: Time from when a penalty is awarded to when it’s taken will be added.
•Red Cards: Time from the foul to when the player leaves the pitch will be counted.
Plus, the EFL is bringing in the multi-ball system to keep the action going. This means more play time and less waiting around!
Stadium Clocks Keep Ticking
Stadium clocks and scoreboards will now keep running until each half truly ends, including any added time. Before, they stopped at 45 or 90 minutes, but now they’ll show the full game time (if the stadium has the tech).
Crackdown on Time-Wasting
Referees will be tougher on players who try to waste time. Players will get a yellow card if they:
•Delay the game restarting.
•Don’t stand the right distance away at free-kicks.
You’ve probably seen these changes before if you watched the Men’s World Cup in 2022 or the Women’s World Cup this summer!
Injured Players Treatment
From now on, if a player gets hurt, they’ll have to go off the pitch for treatment, unless:
•The goalkeeper is injured.
•A goalie and another player have collided.
•Two players from the same team have collided.
•It’s a serious injury.
•The injury is from a foul that got the opponent a yellow or red card, and treatment is quick.
•A penalty has been awarded, and the injured player is taking it.
After the game restarts, the player must wait at least 30 seconds before coming back. The ref has to give the okay, and it might take longer if play is near where they want to return.
If a player says they’re fine but a teammate still delays the game, that teammate will get a yellow card. This helps keep players safe and stops teams from wasting time.
Key Rule Changes
There are also some important updates to the rules:
Denying a Goal-Scoring Opportunity
If a player fouls someone in their own box and stops a clear goal chance:
•Yellow Card: If they tried to play the ball.
•Red Card: If they didn’t try to play the ball (like holding or pushing).
So, if it’s a cynical foul with no attempt to play the ball, it’s a penalty and a red card. If they tried to play the ball, it’s a penalty and a yellow card.
Offside Rule Update
They’ve made the offside rule clearer about what counts as a “deliberate play” by a defender. If a defender has control of the ball and tries to pass, gain possession, or clear it—even if they mess up—an attacker in an offside position won’t be penalised.
Letting the Game Flow
To keep the game exciting, refs won’t call a foul for every bit of contact. They’ll only stop play if the contact really affects the opponent.
Ballboys and Girls
Only Handle the Active Ball: Ball boys and girls can only pick up and throw back the ball that was just in play.
Hands Off the Multiballs: They’re not allowed to touch the multiballs placed on cones around the pitch.
Players Retrieve Multiballs: Only the players on the field can grab these extra balls to keep the game moving.
Switching the Balls: After a multiball is used in play, the ball boys and girls will replace it with the original ball that was previously in play.
