How long does a player have to take a throw-in in the Premier League?

THE Premier League has returned with numerous rule changes for players and fans to get their heads around. Many new laws have been introduced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to tackle tempo disruption and speed up the game. IFAB have taken action to reduce tempo disruption this season Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Referees can begin a countdown if they think players are deliberately delaying the taking of a throw-in Credit: Reuters A time limit has now been implemented for how long a player has to take a throw-in. SunSport brings you the lowdown on the new ruling. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! How long does a player have to take a throw-in in the Premier League? Should players be deemed to be delaying the taking of a throw-in, a five-second countdown from the referee will start. Tactics such as dropping the ball for a team-mate or leaving the ball on the cone could be classed as intentional delays. The referee will blow the whistle and tell the player to hurry up. To signal the start of the countdown, they will visibly make a count by moving an arm up and down. If the referee reaches a count of five, the official will blow the whistle again and give the throw to the other team. The new rule will not cover setting up for long throws, as these are classed as set-piece routines. Most read in Football That said, the countdown may begin once the players are in position. Comment now