Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Neymar First Player Forced Off Under New Serie A Rule
Football is a game where two teams compete to score goals.
Sometimes players try to slow the game down to waste time.
This new rule is about goalkeepers who call for medical treatment.
If a goalkeeper receives medical care, the other team must take one player off the field for one minute.
That team becomes weaker for a short time, so wasting time is risky.
If a coach does not choose the player within 10 seconds, the captain has to leave.
The rule was used for the first time in Brazil's top football league, Serie A. Santos captain Neymar was the first player forced off under the rule.
It happened during Santos' 3-0 win over Vasco.
The rule will also be tried in other leagues, including the Premier League.
A new trial rule in Brazil's Serie A requires an outfield player to leave the pitch for one minute when a goalkeeper needs medical treatment.
Santos captain Neymar became the first player in Brazil's Serie A to be forced off under the rule.
The rule aims to curb time-wasting by goalkeepers who request medical attention.
In Santos' 3-0 win over Vasco, the referee sent Neymar off after the coach failed to nominate a player within 10 seconds.
The trial will also be implemented in other competitions, including the Premier League.
- Who
- Neymar, captain of Santos, was the player forced off the pitch.
- What
- The first temporary removal under a new trial rule targeting goalkeeper time-wasting.
- When
- On Sunday, during Santos' 3-0 win over Vasco in Brazil's Serie A.
- Where
- Brazil's Serie A top-flight league.
- Why
- To curb time-wasting by goalkeepers who request medical treatment.
- New rule
- Outfield player must leave the pitch for one minute after goalkeeper medical stoppage
- Goal
- Curb time-wasting by goalkeepers requiring medical treatment
- First player affected
- Neymar, Santos captain
- Match
- Santos 3-0 Vasco
- Goalkeeper who requested treatment
- Gabriel Brazao
- Coach nomination limit
- 10 seconds; otherwise captain leaves
- Also planned for
- Premier League and other competitions
- Neymar's World Cup
- Two substitute appearances; late penalty in 2-1 loss to Norway in round of 16