Revealed: EFL clubs left confused by rule changes for new season

Some angst among clubs in the EFL over rule changes - before a ball has even been kicked in the league.

Officials from Pro Ref, the rebranded name for PGMO, have toured the country during the off-season to provide guidance on the forthcoming amendments. One of the changes is the trial aimed at preventing goalkeepers from effectively taking a timeout by pretending they are injured, something that is to be welcomed given the amount of blatant time-wasting endured previously.

Now, in such instances, sides will have to nominate an outfield player to leave the field of play. Some have complained that it is not clear who will choose the player and how long they have to do so, and say that when they have flagged this during the presentations they have been told that someone will come back to them.

Rule changes have been implemented this season to tackle the issue of goalkeepers taking tactical timeouts during matches

Unimpressed Pro Ref, however, say the situation is perfectly clear, pointing out that the manager will need to select who comes off and they will have 10 seconds to do so.

There have been similar complaints over the throw-in timer, and questions over when the five permitted seconds start from. While it will be left to the discretion of the referee, it has been pointed out that the clock will not go back to zero should a crafty player pick up the ball only to then throw it to a team-mate to take the restart.

Burnham backs football's forgotten families

The arrival of Andy Burnham at Number 10 may well provide a boost for those calling on football to finally tackle its dementia crisis.

Burnham is a key backer of Football Families for Justice, who want those involved such as the Premier League, PFA and FA to set up a fund which will pay for the care home costs for former players suffering from the likes of dementia and Alzheimer's, amid a clear link between heading the ball and increased instances of brain disease.

A £1m-a-year fund, according to campaigners, is nowhere near sufficient and it would appear that the new Prime Minister agrees. 'I don't think enough has been done,' Burnham said last week. 'I look at the NFL, that has faced up to the issue... I don't see that yet from English football... the game should recognised its duty to support those people.'

John Stiles - son of World Cup winner Nobby - has praised Andy Burnham for his commitment to tackling football's dementia crisis

John Stiles, son of World Cup winner Nobby, hailed Burnham's comments. 'It is refreshing to hear the Prime Minister clearly outline the current state of play,' Stiles, who co-founded FFJ, said.

'He is right that current measures do not go far enough. We would say that they do not even touch the sides - and we look forward to working with him to finally ensure those involved take responsibility and put an end to this national scandal. It's time for change.'

Bielsa bucket back at Leeds

Visitors to Elland Road this season may notice a tribute with a difference.

Earlier this summer the club unveiled a 'legacy stone' installation, where supporters can pay to have their names etched into an addition known as Bielsa Place.

And, in honour of the club's former manager, a marble replica of a bucket (the Argentine is famous for watching games on upturned buckets) takes centre stage.

Marcelo Bielsa famously used to sit on a bucket on the touchline during his time in charge of Leeds

Britain braced for Tour

Following this weekend's conclusion of the women's Tour de France, the historic competition has now handed hosting duties to Britain, with the first three stages of both the men's and women's events being held here next summer.

In late May, organisers called for 9,000 volunteers to help with the Grands Departs, which are expected to bring around 10 million to the roadside.

Inside Sport understands that there have already been no fewer than 21,000 expressions of interest, with the target smashed in less than six weeks.

Applications, however, remain open with organisers hoping to select a full spread of geographies, ages and backgrounds. As things stand, generous Lancastrians lead the way, with more sign-ups sought in both Yorkshire and Wales, and from under-25s.

The great Games clean-up

One record may not have been registered at the Commonwealth Games but does deserve recognition. On the eve of the Games, 50 volunteers in kayaks and on paddleboards worked their way along the River Clyde in Glasgow, fishing litter out of the water.

Somewhere within their haul was the millionth piece of plastic removed from Commonwealth waterways over the course of a year, with the clean-up shadowing the King's Baton relay from St Lucia to Scotland.

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