4 little-known rules in the EPL: Nuggets for dedicated fans

Football is one of those games that requires players to be tactical, skillful, and physically fit. Besides that, this game has several rules that players and fans must observe. Regarding top official leagues such as EPL, basic rules such as free kicks, back passes, fouls, and penalties apply at one time or another.

Some of these rules are only known to the match officials. But if you are an avid Premier League football fan, you should know them, especially if you want to explore a particular TZ sports betting site.  

Here’s a list of little-known rules in the EPL. 

1. The Penalty Kick Rule

One of the most thrilling moments in an EPL football match is during a penalty kick. Some basic rules apply here, including ensuring that the ball remains stationary when taking a penalty kick. The penalty taker can kick the ball at the goal or pass it to one of his team players.

However, if a player double touches the ball accidentally when shooting a penalty, that goal will not be considered as it will result in a foul. Since the goal will be disqualified, the penalty taker will be shown a yellow card. If the penalty is wasted, there won’t be another chance to retake it.

2. The Extra Substitute Rule

Back then, football teams could only introduce three substitutes in any game. However, this rule was revised, and now each team is allowed a maximum of 5 substitutes. Such applies when a player suffers from a head injury on the field.

The affected team can introduce a substitute to replace the injured player during such instances. With that substitute in place, a team is assured that its chances of winning are still high despite having an injured player.

3. The Yellow Card Rule for Taking Off Your Shirt Rule

At one time or another, players indulge themselves in excessive celebration after scoring a goal or two against their opponents. To celebrate such wins, some players remove their shirts. While this might seem appropriate at that moment, it is equivalent to unsporting behavior.

However, such an act is highly discouraged and any player who removes his shirt during a football game is shown a yellow card. Besides removing a shirt, a player can be shown a yellow card if he pulls the shirt over the head momentarily. However, if the player removes a shirt for medical reasons, the referee will not show him a yellow card. The same applies if the player removes the shirt for a noble reason other than celebration.

4. Handball Rule

As the name suggests, this rule applies when a player touches a ball using his hand or arm, a mistake that even the best players occasionally make, including the beloved Iwobi. However, there are instances when this rule cannot apply in the EPL. A good example is when a ball strikes your arm or hand while still in contact with your body.

That means you did not lift your arm or hand to touch the ball. Instead, the ball accidentally struck your arm or hand. The same applies if you are in a natural position and the ball happens to hit your arm or hand. In that event, it will not be classified as handball at all.

Recap

Although football is a game of wits, there are specific rules that govern the game. The EPL is not an exception. If you are a football fan, you should familiarize yourself with these little-known rules to determine what influenced the actions taken by the referee. That way, you will avoid getting disappointed whenever your favorite player is shown a red or yellow card, penalized, or suspended.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel