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The long wait is finally nearing its climax as the most awaited football spectacle in the world of club football - The Premier League - will commence with its lunchtime kickoff at Old Trafford when Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspurs.'Change is the only constant' they say and the Premier League always springs up something new every season. This term, they’ve revamped the game which may make the most exciting league in the world even more exciting. Here are some of those changes which gives the footballing fraternity plenty of food for thought:
#1 Friday Night Football
Yes! You read it right! Premier League has introduced the pilot project of Friday night football after years of deliberation. For football fans, this might be an extended weekend. This season, however, will only have a one-off game where Aston Villa host Manchester United on August 14th.
Although this might dampen the spirits of many excited fans but lets not lose heart, as there are almost ten games in the upcoming 2016/17 season that will be played on Friday night and they will be broadcasted. These matches are part of the new TV rights deal signed between the Premier League and Sky Sports which runs till the 2018/19 season. This is not the first time Premier League will witness Friday night games; from 1983 to 1985, there were quite a few games played on Fridays.
For all those who are clamouring for long weekends, this surely spells happy times ahead.
#2 Model Code of Conduct in Technical Area
One of the two major disciplinary regulations laid down by the League is the code of conduct in the managerial technical area. This new regulation spells doom for touchline drama which has entertained the viewers for decades. From Sir Alex Ferguson to Jose Mourinho, we all have our special moments of many managers engaging in their mini-battles just-off-the-field battles.
The new regulation states that if any manager partakes in any sorts of antic like kicking a bottle or taunting a match official, he'll be warned for his ‘misdemeanor’ and if he repeats his offence, he’ll be sent to stands. This is surely going to kill a lot of drama in the crunch games which continues to give us numerous touchline battles.
Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, told BBC Sport: "A bit of the soap opera is good. Clearly, if it oversteps the mark and gets into the unedifying category it needs to be dealt with.
"You are going to see a graded approach. It is not going to stop some of the fun and games but hopefully it should stop some of the unedifying moments."
Who can forget the wrestling match between Jose Mourinho and his bête noir Arsene Wenger at Stamford Bridge? Or Sir Alex Ferguson hassling Roberto Mancini in that crunch Manchester derby at Old Trafford? This ‘cautious’ improvisation may take away a lot of the drama and sheen from the game.
We all can only hope that the managers find a way to maneuver around this twisted regulation.
#3 Nike\'s latest offering - Ordem 3
Nike’s association with Premier League dates back to its inception in 1992/93 season when the popular accessory maker designed the striker-friendly Nike Mitre Pro, which lasted the initial three seasons. From Mitre Pro to Ordem 2, Premier League and Nike both have come a long way.
This season, with the Ordem 3, the American kit maker has offered players with one of the most scientifically advanced footballs in history. While Ordem 2 was more striker friendly as the ball swerved and dipped which resulted in some exquisite strikes by the likes of Phillipe Coutinho, Frank Lampard and Luis Suarez, the goalkeepers had miserable seasons as many of them committed a few horrendous howlers.
Nike has decided to compensate the keepers this term with the Ordem 3 by stating that the ball delivers 'accurate flight, consistent touch and maximum visibility.' The ball is quicker than its predecessor and is designed in a bright-colour scheme to aid players in making quick decisions. Due to its webbed design and bright overtones, it has been dubbed the 'Spider-man ball.'
With all the tall claims and the attractive designs, it'll be interesting to see how Nike’s latest offering pans out.
#4 Bans for Feigning injuries
Over the years, there have been many instances where players have faked injuries to either book an opposition player or send him off if he is already booked. Simulation has been one of the long-standing plagues of the game and the FA plans to crack down with hard whip on it.
According to new rules, any attempt to feign - i.e to fake an injury or to simulate the game by influencing the referee - to send the opposition player off will now lead to a three-match ban, if proved guilty. However, currently, this doesn’t cover the simulation by a player wherein he/she dives to earn penalties and free-kicks.
This move has been welcomed by all the managers with Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger declaring himself a ‘big fan’ of this new rule. Surely this will bring a lot of credibility and dignity back in the game with players staying miles away from simulation and it will also discourage managers from engaging in negative tactics.
#5 New offside rule
One of the most perplexing and most talked about change of the 2015/16 season is the new offside rule introduced by the Premier League. In a landmark change, FIFA has changed the offside rule where it completely discourages players from straying in offside positions.
According to the new rule, a player in an offside position shall be penalised if he: 'Makes an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball.' The rule was simplified by an ex-Premier League referee, Dermot Gallagher. He told Sky Sports News HQ: “A player has got to make an obvious action and clearly impact on their opponent’s ability to clear the ball.”
So according to new rules, the player will be judged offside if a) he doesn’t touch or play the ball in an offside position and b) if the player does make an attempt to get to the ball while at an offside position.
Premier League referee Mike Riley explains this with an example in Diego Costa’s goal in Chelsea’s 5-3 defeat to Spurs. The Spaniard scored from the rebound off the post via Eden Hazard’s shot before being set up by Oscar. The goal which was allowed last season would be disallowed this term as Oscar would be declared offside.
Riley explains: “This is a good example as how the law of interpretation has changed. Last season this was penalised as offside as the Tottenham player didn’t touch the ball but you can see as the cross comes over, the goalkeeper can’t decide whether to commit to diving in front of Costa or dive to try to save the ball. It impacts on his decision making. Costa is close to the ball, makes an attempt to play the ball and he makes an impact on the goalkeeper's decision, so Costa would be penalised for being offside.”
