Premier League clubs will be expected to unveil their teams 15 minutes earlier in 2024/25 than in previous years.
Rules have previously stipulated that each of the 20 teams must unveil their team selections to the public exactly 60 minutes before kick-off for Premier League fixtures.
However that rule will now change, with clubs now set to name their teams 75 minutes before the match begins.
That means that for any club playing at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon, the team sheets will be released to the public at 1.45pm.
The decision has been made so that the Premier League falls in line with UEFA competitions, which also abide by the 75-minute rule.
While some clubs, most notably Real Madrid, sometimes choose to release their team news to the public up to two hours before, that’s not expected to become the norm.
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This is due to manager’s typically wanting their team selection in the public domain for the minimum amount of time possible, due to the possibility of opponents adapting their plans and gaining a competitive advantage.
As it stands, the most recent Premier League rule book states that: “A representative of each participating Club shall submit a team sheet by such method as approved by the Board containing the following particulars: L.23.1. the shirt numbers and names of its Players (including substitute Players) who are to take part in that League Match; L.23.2. the colour of the Strip to be worn by its Players, including the goalkeeper; and L.23.3. the names and job titles of up to seven Officials who will occupy the trainer’s bench during that League Match. L.24.
“At least 60 minutes before the time fixed for the kick-off of a League Match, the Manager or a senior member of the coaching staff listed in Rule L.23.3 of each participating Club shall attend a briefing with the referee.”
However the rule book is expected to be changed when the new handbook is released.
This rule change will come into play from the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.
Tuesday’s fixture release day has thrown up some eye-catching matches for the 2024/25 curtain-raiser.
Newly-promoted Ipswich Town will get a baptism of fire in their first top flight fixture since 2002 against Liverpool, although the Reds will be starting a new era of their own under Jurgen Klopp’s replacement, Arne Slot.
Meanwhile, new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca faces a reunion with Pep Guardiola as the Blues take on defending champions Man City.