What's new? Automated offside, less injury time, more balls 

The Premier League has introduced a range of updated rules ahead of the new season, with an eye to improving pace of play and quality of life for players, clubs, and supporters.

COMPUTER GAMES: The SAOT technology will not be ready at the start of the season and is set to be introduced following one of the autumn international breaks.

Semi-automated offside

Chief among the changes is a reworking of VAR through the introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), meaning that lengthy waits for remote referees from Stockley Park to confirm a goal’s legality will eventually be a thing of the past. The technology has been used by FIFA since the 2022 World Cup and has since been seen in the Champions League and Paris Olympics. VAR’s operators faced considerable scrutiny throughout last season as managers and players questioned its accuracy, but SAOT’s introduction should alleviate some of that pressure.