The Premier League is set to introduce new multi-ball rules this season in an effort to combat time-wasting and speed up matches, according to reports.
The governing body have made the decision to introduce the new regulations in a response to ball assistants taking unnecessarily long to hand the ball back to players so matches can resume. One ball is set to be in play at all times, with a further match ball with the fourth official for any given fixture, according to the Daily Mail.
Elsewhere, a further eight will also be stationed around the pitch on cones at specific stations. Two will be behind each goal, with another two along each touchline.
There are further rules regarding the precise positioning of the balls, with those behind the goal placed so that the threat of them interfering with the Hawk-Eye goal decision system is reduced.
Ball boys also have their own guidelines to follow regarding giving the ball back once it has gone out of play. A minimum of eight assistants must be stationed around the pitch. They have been told that they must make eye contact with the player restarting play before throwing the ball and must give the it back at the same speed to both clubs competing on the day.
The new rules are similar to those adopted by UEFA, with European fixtures regularly seeing assistants stationed around the pitch already with a ball, which they will then throw back immediately after play has been stopped. The regulation change will be adopted immediately at the start of the season - the new campaign getting underway in less than three weeks’ time.
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The Premier League ’s new rules are also in direct responses to a few infamous incidents with assistants over the past few years. Former Chelsea star Eden Hazard was involved in an altercation with a ball boy during a League Cup clash with Swansea City.
The Belgian inadvertently kicked then-17-year-old Charlie Morgan as he attempted to retrieve the ball. He was given a red card and subsequent three-match ban despite apologising.
Elsewhere, former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho praised a ball boy back in 2019 after his quick reactions saw Spurs score an equaliser during a Champions League clash with Olympiacos, with the North Londoners going on to win 4-2 at home.
The ball boy was invited onto the Spurs bench and into the dressing room as a result of his actions. Speaking at the time, Mourinho said: "I love intelligent ball boys like I was. I was a brilliant ball boy as a kid.
"And this kid today was brilliant. He reads the game, understands the game and made an important assist. He's not there just to look to the stands, lights or scarves. He's living the game and playing it very well."
