New Premier League Season Starts Today
The 2017-18 Premier League season will start today as Arsenal host Leicester City at Emirates Stadium at 19:45 BST. This is first time to start the campaign on a Friday.
What’s new this season?
Bans for diving
Players who dive or feign injury in English football will face bans under new Football Association regulations.
Under the new rules, passed by the governing body at its annual general meeting in May, a panel will review footage each Monday looking for cases of simulation.
Any player unanimously found guilty of diving will be given a suspension.
No pitch designs
Pitch patterns and designs will no longer be allowed at stadiums in the Premier League.
Rules state that the playing surfaces must contain no markings other than the traditional horizontal and white lines.
Meanwhile, Tottenham will play their home games at Wembley this season – as White Hart Lane is renovated – while Brighton’s Amex Stadium and Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium will host Premier League football for the first time.
A new ball
The official competition match ball will be the Nike Ordem V, described as giving “optimal touch and feel with its updated bladder”.
A hi-vis version will be introduced when the clocks change from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time in the autumn.
Enhanced away experience
Fans travelling across the country to support their teams on the road this season will be able to take in the action from closer than ever before.
Premier League clubs have agreed to a new rule where away supporters will be seated together at all stadiums and at least one block of away fan seats will be made available pitchside.
Tickets for away fans will remain capped at £30.
Video replays for doctors
Video technology will be allowed into technical areas in an effort to better protect players from the damages of concussion.
Club doctors and physios will now be able to watch replays of any injury sooner after it has happened. Previously, footage could only be reviewed in the tunnel.
