Just eight weeks after the 2019/20 Premier League season concluded, the 2020/21 campaign is about to begin.
In all honesty, we’re not quite ready for it.
Imagine how the players feel.
But when the Premier League returns, it will look slightly different.
So, to prepare you, The Sun have produced 10 changes you will see on the opening weekend - and for the remainder of the season.
ANTHEM
There will be no pre-match handshake but the players will be walking out to a different anthem. No, we don’t really like it either.
BALL
The ‘Nike Flight’ ball will be in use and it’s apparently got a “30 per cent truer flight.”
MONITOR USE
FIFA have demanded that Premier League referees must now use the monitor to confirm changes to “subjective” calls. A welcome change.
NEW LAWS
There are various new laws like a slight change to the ever-confusing handball rule. The shoulder is no longer part of the arm, assistant referees MUST keep their flag down until the attackers gets a shot away and encroachment at penalties MUST be strictly penalised by VAR. Great.
DIFFERENT VAR LINES
The defensive line is blue and it’s green or red for the attacking line. Green is onside, red offside and the Premier League believes it will help with clarity. We doubt it.
REFEREES
Darren England and Robert Jones have been promoted from the EFL to become Premier League referees. Joining them are assistants James Mainwaring and Tim Wood.
OFFICIALS' KIT
And they will be wearing new Nike kits in black, volt, hyper turquoise and vivid purple. Sounds…nice.
ADDED TIME AND SUBSTITUTION BOARD
Hublot are now the Premier League’s official timekeeper and the board will be shaped to represent their Big Bang Unico sports watch.
FANS
Still no fans. And after the government’s latest move, we’re not quite sure when we’ll even see reduced capacity in the Premier League.
MORE GAMES ON TV
All 28 games in September will be shown on live TV due to the fact stadiums will be empty. That agreement may well continue.
