Premier League fans will be able to learn the starting line-ups of their teams earlier from next season after a significant rule change.
In an update to top-flight tradition, the Premier League has removed its team news embargo time of one hour before kick-off.
As has been the case for years, clubs have been not allowed to publish their starting XIs and substitutes earlier than 60 minutes before the kick-off, despite having submitted an official team sheet to the Premier League some time earlier.
All confirmed XIs and matchday squads have to be submitted "at least 75 minutes before the time fixed for the kick-off of a league match", as per the latest Premier League Handbook.
Rule L.23 continues: "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."
But that rule is being relaxed, meaning clubs will be able to publish their matchday XIs and substitutes 75 minutes before each kick-off, so 15 minutes earlier than before.
This has been the norm in European competition for some time. Real Madrid, for example, published their starting XI for the Champions League final over two hours before the game kicked off, while England will often not wait for an hour before to confirm their lineup on social media channels.
