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This study aims to measure the relationship between effective playing time and the rule change under Law 5, which means stricter consequences for players who deliberately try to obstruct play time during soccer matches. The study focuses on soccer teams and matches from the English top league, Premier League and contains 20 randomized observed matches. The reviewed matches are from before and after the rule change. 

The result shows statistical significance on the variable effective playing time (p = 0.032). Minutes increased within effective playing time from an average of 50.1 minutes in 2021/2022 to 53.2 minutes in 2022/2023.

While the variable effective playing time (%) varied between 48% and 57% in the 2021/2022 season and mean value (M = 52%), is between 47% and 62% for the 2022/2023 season (M = 55%). The results of the study indicate that football matches, after the rule changes, are played longer and this leads to a different array of demands on the players. This affects the physical load on the players, which in itself relates to a higher risk of injury. The conclusion that is drawn is that there is an increase in the effective playing time within the time period after the rule changes under Law 5 have been implemented.