This season there are two rule changes which are likely to be relevant for our teams, these are detailed below. A full overview of all rules changes is available at https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/2025-26-law-changes-explained.

Only the Captain

A new rule is being introduced to prevent players “mobbing” the referee and to clamp down on dissent. An FA produced document with the complete briefing for this change is available at Only the Captain Guidelines.pdf.

Guidelines

• Normal interactions between players and the referee are allowed and remain
  important (to promote transparency and avoid possible frustration and
  conflict)
• Any player (including the captain) who shows dissent by word or action will
  be cautioned (yellow card)
• The referee will, where appropriate, explain important decisions to the
  captain(s) and/or the player(s) involved in an incident
• To prevent players mobbing or surrounding the referee in major situations
  and following key incidents or decisions:
  • only one player from each team – usually the captain – is allowed to
    approach the referee and, when doing so, they must always interact in a
    respectful manner
  • the referee may instruct/encourage players (verbally or with gestures) not
    to approach them
  • the team captains are responsible for helping to direct their team-mates
    away from the referee
  • players who approach/surround the referee when they are not permitted
    to do so may be cautioned (yellow card)
  • if appropriate, the referee may delay the restart of play to allow the
    captain(s) time to speak with their team-mates to explain a decision,
    demand proper behaviour, etc.
  • Interaction with, or an approach by, any player other than the captain is at
    the discretion of the referee, e.g. if the player has committed an offence, been
    fouled and/or is injured

8 second rule for goalkeepers

A goalkeeper who controls the ball with their hand(s)/arm(s) for more than eight seconds will be penalised, with a corner kick being awarded to the other team.

Referees should indicate the count down of the last five seconds of the eight-second restriction to the goalkeeper. The corner kick is to be taken from the corner area nearest to the goalkeeper’s position when penalised.