THERE will be huge changes to the Premier League this season, including for European qualification and tough new laws.
Prem action returns on Friday night when Treble winners Manchester City head to newly-promoted Burnley.
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With many new things for fans to keep a look out for, SunSport run you through the biggest changes…
New team in town
Luton will become the 51st different side to play in the Premier League since it was formed in 1993-94.
New balls please
Players will be kicking around a new ball this season – the Nike Flight has black lines and “splashes of orange” on it.
There will be an extra “multiball” cone stand on the half way line opposite the dug-outs.
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Numbers and fonts
This is the fourth redesign of the official Premier League font for numbers and names.
All sides must use the same font and from this season it will be “bolder” with bigger numbers being used.
There is also now a standalone Premier League lion badge on shirt sleeves.
Whistleblowers
Tim Robinson and Darren Bond are new full-time referees following the retirement of Andre Marriner.
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Changing times
All stoppages except for bookings must be calculated “exactly” by officials.
PGMOL chiefs expect it to mean an average of just under 12 minutes of additional time per match.
Already it’s causing a major stir, with Manchester United defender Raphael Varane releasing a statement over the changes.
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Lay down the law
Two major law changes will be implemented this season.
A player adjudged to be “challenging for the ball” when they “deny an obvious goalscoring opportunity” in the box will only be yellow carded even if they are not attempting to play the ball.
Fifa and Ifab have also clarified what is now deemed “deliberate play” by defenders with regards to offside.
If a player is considered to be in control of the pass, attempt to gain possession or clearance, this would be a ‘deliberate play’ and the attacker in an offside position should not be penalised for offside.
An inaccurate or unsuccessful action does not change that the defender “deliberately played” the ball.
Behaviour clampdown
Tough new rules for players and bosses include yellow cards for any time-wasting and automatic bans for three yellow cards for any coach or manager.
Bookings must be handed out if two or more players surround an official.
There is a lower bar for dissent as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta found out in the Community Shield, as he was booked for waving an imaginary card and protesting a decision.
VAR from over
An extra two VAR cameras at each end will mean the end of “blind spots”.
This should help with tight offside calls and highlight any before missed incidences.
Winter break
The winter break is back, probably for one season only, with a full set of ten fixtures split across two weekends in mid-January to give the players a guaranteed rest.
Time for Manchester United’s Anthony Martial to get those winter gloves out.
Fifth Champions League spot
The team that comes fifth will likely get an automatic seat in the Champions League for the following season.
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But only if English teams teams are among the top two performers across the three Uefa club competitions.
They have been for six of the past seven seasons – last term both the Champions League and Conference League were won by Prem sides Manchester City and West Ham respectively.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
