The amount of time added on at the end of each half of matches in the EFL looks set to increase under a “new approach to time keeping” this season, but the ball should be in-play for longer during games.

The league have issued a summary of the key changes that match officials will adopt with effect from the first game of the season on Friday, August 4.

These include a “more accurate calculation of additional time” in addition to improving the amount of time the ball is in-play during games.

A statement on the EFL website reads: “As the game collectively looks to enhance the amount of time the ball is in play in the forthcoming campaign, the exact time lost when certain game events occur will now be added. In previous seasons the policy was to add on a nominal period of time for certain game events. The events include:

- Goals and subsequent celebrations

- Substitutions

- Injuries and treatment time (if required)

- Penalties (from moment of offence to the whistle for the penalty kick)

- Red cards (from moment of offence to when the player leaves the field)

"Alongside a more accurate allowance for time lost during the game, the EFL will also adopt the multi-ball system, which has been proven to increase ball in-play time.

"Match officials will also be taking a more robust approach to dealing with clear/deliberate actions that are impactful in delaying the restart of play, with players cautioned if they are guilty of:

- Delaying the restart of play

- Failing to respect the required distance at free-kicks.

"Supporters across the game will be familiar with the changes in relation to the calculation of additional time, with both the Men’s World Cup in 2022 and Women’s World Cup this summer adopting a variation of this approach.”

The statement also includes an update to the wording of the law regarding the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the latest tweak to the offside law.

It reads: “Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick:

- A yellow card will be issued if the offence was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball.

- A red card will be shown in all other circumstances (e.g., holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball)."

It continues: "Regarding offside, The IFAB and FIFA have also clarified the guidelines for determining a ‘deliberate play’ by a defender.

A ‘deliberate play’ is when a player has control of the ball and with the possibility of:

- Passing the ball to a team-mate; or

- Gaining possession of the ball; or

- Clearing the ball (e.g., by kicking or heading it)

"If a player is considered to be in control of the pass, attempt to gain possession or clearance, this would be a ‘deliberate play’ and the attacker in an offside position should not be penalised for offside. An inaccurate or unsuccessful action does not change the fact that the defender ‘deliberately played’ the ball.