Premier League to Ban Towels for Drying the Ball

The Premier League has announced a series of new rules aimed at reducing time-wasting and preventing teams from using wax on the match ball, changes that will come into effect for the 2026/27 season. Among the new regulations is a ban on the use of towels to dry the ball during play, a measure that has raised concerns at Arsenal. The London club has frequently relied on towels to keep the ball dry during wet conditions, particularly in England's rainy autumn and winter months. Reacting to the announcement, a club representative made light of the situation, joking that players might need to wear a hat instead of using towels when it rains. The comment quickly spread across social media, with fans and pundits debating both the humour and the practicality of the new rule. According to the league, the changes are part of a broader initiative to speed up matches and reduce interruptions that have frustrated supporters in recent seasons. Time-wasting — when players deliberately slow down play to protect a result — has long been a subject of criticism, particularly during the closing minutes of tight matches. The restriction on wax is reportedly connected to concerns that some players may have used it to gain an unfair advantage on set-pieces such as free kicks or corners, although the league has not provided detailed technical justification for the measure. Clubs across the division are now assessing how the new rules might affect their usual match-day routines, including ball preparation and player equipment. While some managers have welcomed the changes as a way to make the sport more dynamic, others — echoing Arsenal's reaction — have expressed scepticism about how practical the towel ban will be, especially during periods of heavy rainfall. The Premier League has yet to clarify how the new rules will be enforced on the pitch, nor has it detailed potential penalties for violations. Further guidance is expected to be issued before the start of the new season.