Série A and B clubs approve anti-timewasting rules, Lei Vini Jr. and one-minute medical exits | OneFootball

Série A and Série B clubs approved new anti-timewasting rules at a Rio de Janeiro meeting, to take effect from round 23 of both leagues.

According to Globo.com, several measures mirror trials at the last World Cup to boost ball-in-play time. The Protocolo Vini Jr., also called Lei Vini Jr., gives a red card to any player who covers their mouth while provoking an opponent.

Players treated on the pitch must now stay off for at least one minute. If the goalkeeper needs treatment, an outfield teammate leaves for one minute. CBF’s refereeing department says keeper stoppages are exploited for instructions and delays, and this rule will also apply in England and Spain next season.

When a keeper is treated, the coach has 10 seconds to name who leaves, otherwise the captain exits as medics enter. If the goalkeeper is the captain, a pre-selected player comes off. For substitutions, the outgoing player has 10 seconds to depart, or the replacement waits one minute, unless clearly injured.

Referees will start a visible five-second countdown when they detect deliberate delay on throw-ins and goal kicks. Fail to take the throw-in and possession flips, delay the goal kick and it becomes a corner.

VAR will now fix an incorrect second yellow that would dismiss a player. From 2027 it can also review a wrongly awarded corner if it directly precedes a goal or penalty, without a monitor check. A CBF study shows Série A averages 52min54s of ball in play, ahead only of Argentina’s 50min02s, with Série B on 51min09s. The target is 57 minutes, which could reach 59min16s if 6min22s are recovered across fouls, restarts, medicals and VAR, and if referees and players reduce delays.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”