Tottenham became the first English club to benefit from a new rule in the Premier League as Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was penalised for wasting time during their season opener on Saturday. The 2025-26 Premier League season has seen major rule changes designed to speed up play and give fans more access than ever before, as the top flight is clamping down on delays.
Spurs first club to benefit from new EPL rulesDubravka penalised for wasting timeSpurs thrashed Burnley 3-0Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
During Tottenham's 2025-26 season opener against Burnley on Saturday, Dubravka was punished for holding on to the ball for more than eight seconds. Under the new Premier League rules implemented in the new campaign, if a goalkeeper does not release the ball within eight seconds, the referee will award a corner to the opponents.
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Spurs got off to a dream start under new manager Thomas Frank as they thrashed newly promoted Burnley 3-0, courtesy of a brace from Richarlison and a third goal from Brennan Johnson. Richarlison was in red-hot form and scored a blinder of a goal to extend his team's lead at the hour mark, as the Brazilian converted a brilliant overhead kick.
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The new Premier League rules were approved by IFAB earlier this year and were formally adopted at the Club World Cup. Other than goalkeepers being punished for wasting time, several other tweaks have been made to the existing rules, including updated penalty and interference laws.
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Frank's side will be back in action on August 23 as they travel to Manchester to face Pep Guardiola's City in the Premier League.
