Martin Dubravka becomes first victim of new Premier League rule

Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has made history, but for all the wrong reasons. In Burnley’s Premier League opener away to Tottenham, the Slovakian became the first gloveman in the Premier League to fall victim to the new rules which stipulate goalkeepers must distribute the ball after eight seconds. Dubravka’s Burnley debut will go into the history booksAFP via Getty It was brought in to replace the six-second rule, where the punishment was an indirect free-kick. However, the six-second rule had been deemed as too harsh and was rarely been enforced by officials. Starting between the sticks for Burnley, Dubravka had the ball in his hands. But referee Michael Oliver deemed Dubravka held onto the ball for too long. Oliver even gave Dubravka a five-second countdown as a warning, beginning from when the Burnley man had the ball in his hands for three seconds. As a result and per the new rules, Tottenham were subsequently awarded a corner in the fourth minute. Luckily for Dubravka, nothing eventuated from it. But there was little he could do to stop Richarlison from opening the scoring just six minutes later. The Brazilian was on hand to steer home a cross whipped in from the right by debutant Mohammed Kudus. What are the other new rules introduced? Aside from the new eight-second distribution rule for goalkeepers, a number of other new laws have been introduced for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign. Richarlison got Tottenham’s Premier League campaign up and runningAFP via Getty One of which is that team captains are the only players allowed to approach match officials during games to discuss decisions. Should an unauthorised player talk to the referee, it may result in a yellow card. However, if the captain is a goalkeeper, a designated outfield player will be able to speak with the referee on a protesting player’s behalf. This is to avoid goalkeepers running up the field to speak with the referee and subsequently returning to their box, which delays the game. Another new rule introduced relates to double-touch penalties. If a kicker inadvertently touches the ball twice but scores, the penalty must be re-taken. Premier League officials are looking to crack down on players delaying the gameAFC Bournemouth via Getty However, deliberate double-touching will lead to the defending team receiving an indirect free kick. This represents a change from the previous rule, which stipulated that if a player touched the ball twice, the goal was immediately chalked off regardless of perceived intent.

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Martin Dubravka becomes first victim of new Premier League rule

Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has made history, but for all the wrong reasons.

In Burnley’s Premier League opener away to Tottenham, the Slovakian became the first gloveman in the Premier League to fall victim to the new rules which stipulate goalkeepers must distribute the ball after eight seconds.

Dubravka’s Burnley debut will go into the history books

It was brought in to replace the six-second rule, where the punishment was an indirect free-kick.

However, the six-second rule had been deemed as too harsh and was rarely been enforced by officials.

Starting between the sticks for Burnley, Dubravka had the ball in his hands.

But referee Michael Oliver deemed Dubravka held onto the ball for too long.

Oliver even gave Dubravka a five-second countdown as a warning, beginning from when the Burnley man had the ball in his hands for three seconds.

As a result and per the new rules, Tottenham were subsequently awarded a corner in the fourth minute.

Luckily for Dubravka, nothing eventuated from it.

But there was little he could do to stop Richarlison from opening the scoring just six minutes later.

The Brazilian was on hand to steer home a cross whipped in from the right by debutant Mohammed Kudus.

What are the other new rules introduced?

Aside from the new eight-second distribution rule for goalkeepers, a number of other new laws have been introduced for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

Richarlison got Tottenham’s Premier League campaign up and running

One of which is that team captains are the only players allowed to approach match officials during games to discuss decisions.

Should an unauthorised player talk to the referee, it may result in a yellow card.

However, if the captain is a goalkeeper, a designated outfield player will be able to speak with the referee on a protesting player’s behalf.

This is to avoid goalkeepers running up the field to speak with the referee and subsequently returning to their box, which delays the game.

Another new rule introduced relates to double-touch penalties.

If a kicker inadvertently touches the ball twice but scores, the penalty must be re-taken.

Premier League officials are looking to crack down on players delaying the game

However, deliberate double-touching will lead to the defending team receiving an indirect free kick.

This represents a change from the previous rule, which stipulated that if a player touched the ball twice, the goal was immediately chalked off regardless of perceived intent.