The rule changes just keep on coming from Fantasy Premier League (FPL) – and this morning’s announcement concerns assists.
The big news is that there’ll be more of them in 2025/26, with the rules around Fantasy assists relaxed somewhat.
- READ MORE: FPL 2025/26: Top 1% and top 10% leagues launched
- READ MORE: FPL 2025/26: Huge rule change as defensive contributions come in
- READ MORE: FPL 2025/26: Double chips as Assistant Manager gets the boot
WHAT ARE THE NEW ASSIST RULES?
INTENDED DESTINATION/TARGET
‘Intended destination/target’ isn’t disappearing completely – but it’s no longer a factor for a lot of goals.
Indeed, it will not matter, and a Fantasy assist will be awarded, if:
a) the goalscorer receives the ball inside the penalty box and
b) there is only one defensive touch before the ball reaches the goalscorer
As an example, Alexander Isak‘s first goal against Ipswich Town below would now be an assist for Jacob Murphy.
Alex Isak hits a hat-trick! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0OuWvlvW63
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 21, 2024
If there are two or more defensive touches, no assist is given.
The only defensive touch that will disqualify a Fantasy assist is if the defending player is attempting a pass (ergo in possession). The goalscorer losing then regaining possession before scoring also means no assist.
Meanwhile, if the goalscorer receives the ball outside the box, the old subjective call about intended destination/target remains in force.
HANDBALLS
No need to worry about an attacking player ‘forcing’ a handball now, as that criterion has been done away with.
Now, if a cross, pass, shot or touch directly leads to a handball by a defensive player, and the resulting penalty or free-kick is scored, a Fantasy assist will be awarded.
If the handball follows a touch from another defensive player, no assist will be given.
DEFENSIVE ERRORS
More simplification of the rules here.
Up until this point, if a goal was scored thanks to an unforced defensive error, no Fantasy assist was awarded.
But now, the only defensive error that will disqualify a Fantasy assist is if the defending player is attempting a pass. Again, there can only be a maximum of one defensive touch for the assist to be awarded.
As an example, Alex Scott would now get the assist for this goal scored by Antoine Semenyo in April:
53 seconds. pic.twitter.com/0YfVaVlcRf
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) April 15, 2025
HOW MANY MORE ASSISTS WOULD WE HAVE SEEN LAST SEASON?
FPL say that, had these new rules been in operation last season, there would have been 41 extra Fantasy assists awarded.
I passed those ones. But this is silly
»Bloomberg starts for BG wasn't expecting that . Maybe I shouldn't have transferred out oops.....
»Can you roll some of the/or all the five extra transfers to next GW?
»All the chip changes, defensive contribution is for expanding many various way to play FPL. But this AFCON transfer, just to make all manager and their dog spend all the transfer on GW 15. Contradictive.
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