Premier League make major rule change in latest clamp down after Gary O’Neil’s furious rant in FA Cup clash
PREMIER LEAGUE ball boys and girls will no longer be permitted to hand balls directly to players following a change to the rules.
The utilisation of ball boys and girls to gain an advantage has been thrust into the spotlight in recent weeks – most notably after Coventry manager Mark Robins’ altercation with a young boy during his side’s 3-2 FA Cup quarter-final win over Wolves.
And The Mail understands the Premier League has changed its rules around the matter.
Ball assistants will now retrieve loose balls and place them on 14 cones around the pitch, meaning they will have no direct contact with players.
Two cones will be behind each goal, with five along each side of the pitch.
Meanwhile, ball assistants will sit behind LED advertising boards and will not interfere within the perimeter of the pitch.
The Premier League hope the change will provide consistency for ball assistants across all clubs.
The change comes in the wake of Coventry boss Robins’ incident earlier this month.
After a Wolves ball boy was seen to be taking a significant amount of time giving the ball back to Coventry, Robins reacted by celebrating in the youngster’s face following his side’s late winner.
And Wolves boss Gary O’Neil was very unhappy with the behaviour.
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He said: “I wasn’t aware of it until after and I was disappointed. I waited for Mark downstairs after I’d seen it and spoke to him.
“I was really respectful at the end, having lost a massive game. I waited for them to finish their celebrations, shook everyone’s hand and congratulated them on a really good performance, reaching Wembley and what a fantastic achievement it was.
“He apologised, but to celebrate in a young boy’s face like that, I thought was disgusting. The boy is really upset. It shouldn’t happen.
“I don’t have too much to say on it because we’ve lost and it’ll sound bitter, but I thought it was really important for me to speak to Mark about it.
“They’re just kids doing their job.”
Explaining his actions, Robin responded: “I have an apology to make because before that [winning goal] happened, a ball boy had the ball in his hand.
“He dropped the ball and walked away, smiling. It really annoyed me, but he’s a kid, you know. At the end of the day I’ve reacted.
“We scored the goal and I’ve gone and celebrated in front of him. So I’m apologising to him. I do not show emotion very often, but I did today, and that’s what the FA Cup does to you.
“But I apologise unreservedly to him.”