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From VAR tweaks to more camera access: The new rules for the EPL season

  /  autty

The start of the new Premier League season gets underway in a couple of weeks, and with it comes a host of new rules and regulations. But what are they?

From the number of seconds goalkeepers are allowed to keep hold of the ball to manager interviews at half-time, here are some of the key changes to the Premier League rulebook this season:

Television

Dressing room access

Television cameras are allowed into dressing rooms, and home clubs must allow access at least twice a season. Each club can decide which games they want televised and when the recording can start.

They can pick one of four options: at the end of the warm-up until the first bell prior to kick-off, between the ringing of the first bell and players leaving the dressing room, at half-time, or immediately after the match once all players return.

The dressing room cameras will be set up in the corner of the room and will have no audio, but there is one caveat: if the home team is losing in the 80th minute, they are allowed to cancel the post-match access.

David Beckham famously needed stitches after Sir Alex Ferguson kicked a boot in his direction after a match in 2003PAUL BARKER / AFP

Half-time interviews with players or managers

Only time will tell whether anyone says anything interesting. Clubs and broadcasters will decide no later than 24 hours before a match which player or manager will be available for interview at the half-time break.

In the case of a player, the broadcaster will draw up a shortlist of five players and provide the list to the club no later than the 40th minute of the match. The club will then decide which player will be available.

Again, there are caveats. The player can only answer three questions, and according to the Premier League handbook, these must be "positive" and "related to the match."

In-match interviews

For the first time, in-match interviews are allowed to take place and will be conducted with a manager or substituted player no later than the 85th minute of the match.

These interviews will consist of a maximum of two questions.

TV cameras allowed on the pitch

Television cameras are allowed onto the pitch - not only on the side or behind the goal - to record goal celebrations. It is hoped this could capture some iconic moments throughout the season.

The last day of the Premier League season

All 10 Premier League games will be broadcast live in the UK for the first time.

Rules of the game

Goalkeepers have eight seconds to release the ball

Infuriating for fans and players alike, goalkeepers will now have two seconds less to 'release' the ball.

In theory, referees will make a signal to the goalkeeper and visually count down from five seconds. If the goalkeeper takes longer than eight seconds, a corner to the opposing team will be awarded.

Dropped ball restarts to be defined last possession and location

Referees will now take into account which side was in control of the ball and where an incident took place before deciding on the best course of action.

Only captains can speak to referees

Introduced to prevent a swarm of players surrounding the referee. Only captains will have decisions explained to them. In trials, this has proved successful, so expect a flurry of yellow cards for any team that steps out of line.

Everton players surrounded referee Michael Oliver in their match against Ipswich last seasonMI News / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP

Off-field players or coaches who accidentally touch the ball

The Premier League has relaxed rules around managers and players who accidentally touch the ball out of play. No yellow or red cards will be shown, but of course, the devil is in the detail and what constitutes an 'accident'.

VAR explanations can be made live by the referee

Fans attending Premier League games will finally understand why referees have made certain calls.

Similar to the FIFA Club World Cup, referees will be able to explain a decision following a VAR 'review' or lengthy VAR 'check'.