As the 2026/27 season draws near, the Premier League is set to implement a range of changes concerning VAR operations and referee actions. Former PGMOL head Kit Hackett has detailed the innovations that teams and supporters can expect, alongside the rules trialed during the World Cup that will not be adopted in the Premier League.
One of the most notable adjustments centres around dismissals for two yellow cards. VAR will now have the ability to review incidents leading to a player’s second yellow, but its authority will be quite limited. The video assistant will only intervene if a clear error has been made in recognising the foul, without assessing whether that foul warranted a yellow card in the first place.
Hackett explained:
This season, when a player is sent off for a second yellow card, the incident can be reviewed by VAR. However, the intervention will only be for ascertaining if there was an obvious mistake in identifying the foul.
An experiment has also been approved regarding checking for fouls by the attacking team before the ball is put back into play during set pieces. If such an incident directly leads to a goal, penalty, or potential sending off, VAR will be able to step in.
If a foul is confirmed, the standard will be retaken, as it's impossible to award a free-kick for a foul committed before the ball was reintroduced. However, similar actions by the defending team will not be reviewed — for the same reason, VAR cannot award a penalty for a foul committed before the game resumed.
Another adjustment involves the erroneous identification of players and teams. VAR can now intervene, for example, if a referee incorrectly penalises one team for a foul committed by the opposing side.
Meanwhile, the Premier League has decided not to carry over all rules used at the World Cup. VAR will not correct incorrectly awarded corners, nor can it recommend a sending off simply for a player covering their mouth during a confrontation.
Hackett also addressed the ongoing issue of player tussles in the box during corners and other set pieces. In his view, last season's promises from referees to crack down on holds, pushes, and blocks have largely failed to take effect:
Grabs, shoves, and blocks damage the reputation of our great game. I hope that Howard Webb and his officials actually deliver on their promises.
The referee stopping the execution of a corner to expressly warn players who are grabbing one another has frankly become a joke. We want to watch football, not rugby.
Changes will also target time-wasting. When it comes to throw-ins, referees will now employ a visual five-second countdown. If a team fails to reintroduce the ball in time, the throw will be awarded to the opponent.
A similar five-second countdown will be implemented for goal kicks. If a team deliberately delays restarting the game and exceeds the given time, their opponents will receive a corner.
Additionally, a corner can also be awarded if a goalkeeper violates the time limit on ball possession.
Despite these alterations, Hackett remains critical of VAR's current execution. The former referee chief believes video replays have introduced doubts and indecision amongst officials, while fans in the stands continue to receive inadequate information during lengthy checks:
For years, I have spoken about the lack of transparency and accountability. Apart from the messages on the big screen, fans in the stadium often remain virtually in the dark and feel disconnected from what’s happening.
