The Premier League is back and Leeds United fans are preparing to make their long-awaited return to an away ground for the first time in 18 months.
The Whites head to Old Trafford on Saturday to kickstart their campaign against the old enemy, backed by a sold-out away allocation.
Whilst Leeds fans will be desperate to see Marcelo Bielsa's side back in action, the return of top-flight football coincides with VAR.
The technology endured a controversial season last time around, particularly at Elland Road, with Patrick Bamford's 'offside armpit' at Crystal Palace still wrangling with supporters.
However, in a bid to address those increasingly common decisions, there have been several changes to the VAR protocol for 2021/22.
Here's a full recap of what is new.
A 'lighter touch' approach
Premier League clubs have voted for less VAR interference this season and therefore, there will be a higher threshold for 'clear and obvious errors'.
It will be akin to what we witnessed at Euro 2020, where more subjective decisions will be left with the on-field referee, known as 'a lighter touch approach'.
Officials will be encouraged to let the play flow more frequently, with fewer fouls given for challenges with minimal contact.
New handball laws
IFAB have made a clear alteration to rules around a handball that leads directly to a goal.
Previously, any interference by an arm in the attacking phase of play that led to a goal would have been ruled out.
Now, IFAB laws state: “Accidental handball that leads to a team-mate scoring a goal or having a goalscoring opportunity will no longer be considered an offence”.
Thicker offside lines
The biggest change to VAR for the forthcoming season is, without doubt, the use of thicker lines for offside decisions.
After so many controversial 'armpit' offside decisions last term, a larger intersection between the defender and forward should restore the 'benefit of the doubt to the attacker'.
Equally, the process where the lines are drawn will no longer be shown on screen. The only thing fans will see is the final decision on TV.
So, Patrick Bamford's offside at Crystal Palace? Onside, as of this season.
Why have they made these changes?
PGMOL chief Mike Riley has explained the reason behind the VAR changes, in particular offside.
"We've now reintroduced the benefit of the doubt to the attacking player," Riley told Sky Sports.
"When we have a close offside decision, we'll have the same process. We'll draw one line on the defending player and one line on the attacking player.
"Now we have slightly broader lines we use for broadcast and where they cross, they will now be deemed onside. If you look at it, we'll probably get 20 goals back that we would have had last season which is a good thing."
