Concern is already bubbling up among EFL clubs over this season’s rule changes, despite the league campaign not yet being under way.
Representatives from Pro Ref — the new name for PGMO — have spent the close season travelling around the country to brief clubs on the incoming adjustments. Among the most notable is a trial designed to stop goalkeepers from engineering tactical breaks by feigning injury, a move many will see as overdue given the levels of obvious time-wasting seen in previous seasons.
Under the new approach, if such a situation arises, the goalkeeper’s team must nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch. However, some clubs say key details remain unclear, including who is responsible for selecting the player and how much time they will be given to make that decision. Those who raised the issue during the briefings claim they were told answers would follow.
Rule changes have been implemented this season to tackle the issue of goalkeepers taking tactical timeouts during matches
There has also been unease over the new throw-in timer, particularly around the point at which the five-second count begins. Although referees will be given discretion, clubs have been informed that the clock will not reset if a player picks up the ball and then hands or tosses it to a team-mate to take the throw instead.
Burnham backs football’s forgotten families
Andy Burnham’s arrival at Number 10 could also strengthen pressure on football authorities to confront the sport’s long-running dementia crisis.
Burnham has been a prominent supporter of Football Families for Justice, the campaign group urging bodies including the Premier League, the PFA and the FA to create a fund covering care home costs for former players affected by conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. The campaign comes against the backdrop of established concerns over the link between heading footballs and a higher risk of brain disease.
Campaigners argue that a £1million-a-year fund falls well short of what is needed, and the new Prime Minister appears to share their view. “I don’t think enough has been done,” Burnham said last week. “I look at the NFL, that has faced up to the issue… I don’t see that yet from English football… the game should recognised its duty to support those people.”
John Stiles – son of World Cup winner Nobby – has praised Andy Burnham for his commitment to tackling football’s dementia crisis
John Stiles, son of World Cup winner Nobby, hailed Burnham’s comments. ‘It is refreshing to hear the Prime Minister clearly outline the current state of play,’ Stiles, who co-founded FFJ, said.
‘He is right that current measures do not go far enough. We would say that they do not even touch the sides – and we look forward to working with him to finally ensure those involved take responsibility and put an end to this national scandal. It’s time for change.’
Bielsa bucket back at Leeds
Visitors to Elland Road this season may notice a tribute with a difference.
Earlier this summer the club unveiled a ‘legacy stone’ installation, where supporters can pay to have their names etched into an addition known as Bielsa Place.
And, in honour of the club’s former manager, a marble replica of a bucket (the Argentine is famous for watching games on upturned buckets) takes centre stage.
Marcelo Bielsa famously used to sit on a bucket on the touchline during his time in charge of Leeds
Britain braced for Tour
Following this weekend’s conclusion of the women’s Tour de France, the historic competition has now handed hosting duties to Britain, with the first three stages of both the men’s and women’s events being held here next summer.
In late May, organisers called for 9,000 volunteers to help with the Grands Departs, which are expected to bring around 10 million to the roadside.
Inside Sport understands that there have already been no fewer than 21,000 expressions of interest, with the target smashed in less than six weeks.
Applications, however, remain open with organisers hoping to select a full spread of geographies, ages and backgrounds. As things stand, generous Lancastrians lead the way, with more sign-ups sought in both Yorkshire and Wales, and from under-25s.
The great Games clean-up
One record may not have been registered at the Commonwealth Games but does deserve recognition. On the eve of the Games, 50 volunteers in kayaks and on paddleboards worked their way along the River Clyde in Glasgow, fishing litter out of the water.
Somewhere within their haul was the millionth piece of plastic removed from Commonwealth waterways over the course of a year, with the clean-up shadowing the King’s Baton relay from St Lucia to Scotland.
