Premier League confirm Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United referee for opener as new rules explained | OneFootball

The Premier League have confirmed Rob Jones will take charge of Leeds United’s trip to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday, the first match of their 2026/27 campaign.

He will be assisted by Nick Greenhalgh and Alistair Nelson, with Gavin Ward as fourth official and Craig Pawson on VAR duties.

Jones refereed 18 Premier League games last season, averaging 21.06 fouls and 4.17 yellow cards. Two featured Leeds, a 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa in November and a 2-2 draw at Chelsea in February.

Cards flowed in those league meetings, with four players from each side booked at Stamford Bridge. Six were cautioned against Villa, five of them Leeds.

Leeds won four of six friendlies, ending with a 4-0 victory over FC Augsburg on Saturday. Forest beat Bayer Leverkusen and Brest last week, and both clubs will hope to avoid another relegation fight.

Jones will also be the first to apply new Premier League time-wasting measures in a Leeds match. If play stops for a goalkeeper injury, a nominated outfielder must leave the pitch for at least one minute. Any injured player treated on the pitch must also spend one minute off, up from 30 seconds.

Substituted players have 10 seconds to depart, or the replacement must wait until the first natural stoppage after one minute. Referees will use a five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal-kicks, after which the opposition will get a throw-in or corner. VAR will now review dismissals arising from second yellow cards.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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