English football, IFAB and match officials
Friday
English football will adopt a wide package of new laws for 2026-27 designed to reduce deliberate delays and increase playing time. Changes cover throw-ins, goal-kicks, substitutions, injury stoppages, goalkeeper treatment and several expanded areas of VAR intervention.
Players taking too long over restarts can lose possession, substitutes may be delayed from entering and teams can temporarily lose an outfielder when goalkeepers require treatment. VAR can also review second yellow cards that directly produce a sending-off.