A new season brings with it the spotlight on referees. Even more so with the coming campaign with a raft of new changes and tweaks to the rules from IFAB. Click and scroll through to find out what exactly has changed.
1. Handball (1)
A free kick will be awarded if the ball goes into the goal after touching an attacking player’s hand/arm even if accidental. Photo: Charlie Crowhurst
2. Handball (4)
If the ball touches a player’s hand/arm when it is above their shoulder (unless the player has deliberately played the ball which then touches their hand/arm) a penalty or free-kick will be given. Photo: Stephen Pond
3. Handball (5)
A free-kick or penalty WON'T be awarded if a player is falling and the ball touches their hand/arm when it is between their body and the ground to support the body, but not extended to make the body bigger. Photo: Catherine Ivill
4. Handball (3)
A free-kick or penalty will be awarded if the ball touches a player’s hand/arm which has made their body unnaturally bigger. Photo: GLYN KIRK