MTNFootball

Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung

The Premier Soccer League has announced rule changes for the new 2012/13 season, including how player suspensions are determined.

The changes were ratified at a Bord of Governers (BOG) meeting this week, and relate to suspensions, disputes and medical attention at fixtures.

The League released a statement on Friday saying the threshold for yellow-card suspensions has been extended from three bookings to four, after which the player will receive a one-game ban. They will receive a further one-match suspension after another four bookings, while a further four yellow cards will then draw a three-game ban.

There had been general unhappiness that the previous rules of just three cards before a one-match suspension was too strict.

In another change, a time limit for lodging of complaints has been introduced. This means that complaints must now be lodged within 40 days of the closing of the previous transfer window.

This is to stop long, drawn out appeals over player registrations that delayed the end of season play-offs this year as clubs sought to gain points through the Dispute Resolution Chamber which they needed either to push for promotion or avoid relegation.

They will now have to make those appeals long before the end of the campaign.

Finally, the PSL has also  beefed up medical attention at matches, saying the following in their statement:

“Following the incidents involving Fabrice Muamba and Itumeleng Khune, the League has introduced a detailed set of medical rules that clubs will be expected to adhere to in the future.

“According to the new rules, the home club will have to provide a doctor and physiotherapist at every match to take care of the players and match officials, and an additional doctor with supporting paramedics to deal with any medical incidents in the crowd. At least one Advance Life Support paramedic must be on site from the time gates open for the public.

“The Rules also specify minimum levels of equipment and medical facilities that must be available at all times including, but by no means limited to, a defibrillator and oxygen.”