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England to use new IFAB rulebook in pre-Euro 2016 friendly matches

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 08:  Wayne Rooney of England scores their second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E qualifying match
Image: England will use the new rules against Australia and Turkey

England's friendlies before Euro 2016 will be the first games to feature new laws agreed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) earlier this year.

The law changes do not come into effect until June 1, but the Football Association has agreed with counterparts in Australia and Turkey to use them.

England face Turkey on May 22, take on Australia on May 27 and play their final game before the tournament in France against Portugal on June 2.

The most significant change removes the so-called 'triple punishment' currently in place for the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity, where a player and team can be hit with a penalty, red card and subsequent suspension.

It will no longer be an automatic red card if a player or goalkeeper brings down an opponent while acting as the last line of defence - where a genuine attempt has been made to play the ball officials will be allowed to give a penalty and only book the offender.

Among the other 95 rule changes approved by IFAB, there is no need for teams kicking off to send the ball forwards - only one player will need to stand in the centre circle and can pass in any direction.

Free kicks after an offside will be taken from where a player first touched the ball in an offside position rather than where he was originally standing when offside.

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Players also no longer have to leave the field if they receive treatment following a yellow card or red card offence.

Players can be sent off before the start of play, perhaps for an incident in the tunnel. Should this happen the sent off player can be replaced by a substitute.

A yellow card will be shown to goalkeepers who move early off their line while facing a penalty, and takers feigning to shoot in their run-up in obvious cases of deception will be booked with no re-take allowed.

Players can also be charged with violent conduct if no contact is made with an opponent.

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