#PLStories- Premier League rule change regarding Handball and Covid-19 spot check #PL
Premier League Museum Admin 
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A new Premier League season gets underway with Arsenal making a short trip across London to play newly promoted Brentford.
A statement reads: “Subject to Rule L.28A, in any league match a club may include in its teamsheet up to nine substitute players of whom not more than three may take part in the league match subject to the conditions set out in Law 3 of the Laws of the Game.”
That is an increase from seven substitutes to nine, which is a benefit to the bigger clubs in the league who have larger squads than others. With that said, the substitutes rule is not the only change coming into play from tonight. Here are some of the other more significant rule changes that will impact the two sides tonight.
Handball rule
One rule that is changing is the accidental handball rule. The change means that any accidental handball in the build-up to a goal will no longer be deemed an offence.
The new rule states: “A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation. By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised.”
Covid-19 spot-checks
Fans are set to be subject to random spot-checks of their Covid-19 status at grounds in the opening few weeks of the new season, including tonight.
A statement reads: “Initially, in the first few matchdays of the season, supporters can expect the introduction of random spot-checks for ticket holders at some grounds as we establish the required processes so clubs and fans are prepared for all match attenders to have their Covid-19 status checked upon arrival, should it become mandatory. Even though the nation is reopening, the Government has made it clear that this pandemic is still far from over.
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