See the new rules approved by CBF and clubs, and when they kick in | OneFootball

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) held its third meeting this Monday (10) with clubs from Série A and Série B of the Brazilian Championship at a hotel in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, to discuss the creation of the Brazilian Football League. The meeting was attended by the country’s main clubs, including Palmeiras, and resulted in the immediate adoption of new refereeing rules.

The changes, many of which were already used in the World Cup, will be applied across the different divisions of the Brazilian Championship, the Copa do Brasil, and also the Brazilian Women’s Championship A1.

The meeting also marked the start of a cycle of five meetings aimed at discussing and drafting new regulations for the 2027 season. The main topics include the modernization of refereeing and measures to increase effective playing time in matches.

According to the CBF, the refereeing department will receive R$200 million in investments between 2026 and 2027.

CBF seeks to modernize Brazilian football

The move is part of the federation’s strategy to increase the competitiveness and commercial value of Brazilian football. In the 2024/2025 season, the Brasileirão recorded revenue of 1.8 billion euros, a figure lower than that of some of Europe’s top leagues.

England’s Premier League brought in 7.5 billion euros over the same period, while La Liga and the Bundesliga posted revenues of 5.7 billion and 5.5 billion euros, respectively.

Effective playing time is one of the priorities

One of the CBF’s main goals is to increase effective playing time. In partnership with CBF Academy, the federation produced the report “Effective Playing Time in Brazilian Football,” using data from OPTA Stats Perform.

Up to the break for the 2026 World Cup, Série A had an average of 52 minutes and 54 seconds of ball-in-play time per match, below FIFA’s 60-minute target.

Even so, none of the world’s top leagues reaches 60 minutes. In the 2026 season, the Premier League averages 55m23s, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga average 56m17s, La Liga records 55m09s, and Italy’s Serie A, 54m28s.

Check out the new rules

1. Eight seconds for the goalkeeper with the ball in handThe goalkeeper who keeps the ball in hand for more than eight seconds will concede a corner kick to the opposing team.

2. Five seconds to take a throw-inThe count begins as soon as the player has the ball in hand to take the throw-in.

3. Five seconds for a goal kickAfter the referee’s whistle, the goalkeeper will have five seconds to take the kick. If the limit is exceeded, a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team.

4. Ten seconds to leave the field during substitutionsThe substituted player must leave the pitch by the nearest point, quickly, without walking long distances.

5. One minute off after medical treatmentA player who receives treatment on the field must leave the pitch and remain off for one minute before returning.

6. Treatment for the goalkeeper also results in one minute offWhen the goalkeeper receives treatment, an outfield player designated by the coach or captain must remain off the field for one minute.

7. Only the captain may speak to the refereeEach team will have a single interlocutor with the refereeing team during the match.

8. Covering the mouth during an argument may lead to a sending-offThe act of intentionally covering the mouth during an argument with an opponent will be considered conduct punishable by a red card, under the so-called “Vini Jr. Protocol.”

9. VAR may review a second yellow cardThe technology may be used in situations involving a second yellow card that results in a player being sent off.

10. VAR may review a corner kick awarded by mistakeThe measure, scheduled for implementation in 2027, will allow review of a corner kick when the wrong decision has a direct influence on a goal or penalty.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.