Premier League set for temporary rule change on final day due to extreme heat

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Water breaks could be temporarily brought into force on the final day of the Premier League season amid blistering temperatures. The UK has been treated to some eye-catching weather over the past few days, some places in the country having seen thermometers reach 30 degrees.

And while many are enjoying the weather, Premier League chiefs could consider a late rule change to ensure the safety of players. According to Sky Sports , mandatory drinks breaks could be enforced on the last day of the campaign should the temperatures be hotter than 30 degrees before kick-off.

All matches on the last day of the campaign will take place at 4pm on Sunday. There is plenty at stake too, with spots in Europe and the final relegation place to be decided.

It would not be the first time that drinks breaks would be seen in the Premier League. They were introduced during the delayed 2019/20 season, games having taken place during the summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Water breaks were also seen at the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign. Regardless, one team that will enjoy the final day will be recently-crowned champions Arsenal .

The Gunners head to Selhurst Park and will lift the trophy at the end of the game. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta said: “We have 48 hours to enjoy the success of winning the league.

“Now, tomorrow and Saturday, we're going to prepare really well because we need to now lift again our habits and the standards that we normally do things to be in the best possible way to compete.

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“On Sunday, we'll have a little window there again to celebrate, to lift the trophy in a manner that it deserves, to connect with the people who are constantly around us. But then we have six days that we need to write a new history in this football club.”

This weekend is also significant for Pep Guardiola , who is set to manage his final game as Manchester City boss. And while the Spaniard cannot secure another Premier League title, he will be confident of his side putting on a show after claiming his side perform better in the warm.

“The sun,” Guardiola said after victory over Chelsea earlier this season. “I’m not joking. The sun. In Manchester there is never the sun. If the sun arrived in November, we would be champions in January. Honestly, the mood is better.”

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