Premier league Rules 26/27
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2026 5:47 am
A new threshold will be introduced next season for hair pulling offences after a number of controversial red cards were shown last season.
A yellow card will now be awarded 'if the action is deemed to be without excessive force and/or brutality.'
[Further] points of emphasis for referees include continuing to take a 'less is more' approach to penalising handball and a greater emphasis on penalising holding offences at set plays.
Referees will also be encouraged to place a greater emphasis on penalising challenges that prevent the goalkeeper moving towards the ball at plays, designed to address criticism that the top tier has become too focused on grappling and set piece dominance.
Finally, there will also be a change to the use of VAR. VAR will now be able to review when a second yellow card leads to a red card, however it will not intervene for potential second yellow card offences. The Premier League has opted not to adopt an optional change whereby VAR's scope is increased, including intervening when a corner is incorrectly rewarded.
A yellow card will now be awarded 'if the action is deemed to be without excessive force and/or brutality.'
[Further] points of emphasis for referees include continuing to take a 'less is more' approach to penalising handball and a greater emphasis on penalising holding offences at set plays.
Referees will also be encouraged to place a greater emphasis on penalising challenges that prevent the goalkeeper moving towards the ball at plays, designed to address criticism that the top tier has become too focused on grappling and set piece dominance.
Finally, there will also be a change to the use of VAR. VAR will now be able to review when a second yellow card leads to a red card, however it will not intervene for potential second yellow card offences. The Premier League has opted not to adopt an optional change whereby VAR's scope is increased, including intervening when a corner is incorrectly rewarded.