Neymar becomes first player to be forced to leave pitch in new time-wasting rule
Santos captain Neymar Jr. made history on Sunday as the first player in Brazil’s Serie A to leave the field for one minute under a new rule aimed at curbing time-wasting by goalkeepers. This rule is currently being trialed in the league and is set to be implemented in other competitions, including the English Premier League.
The regulation stipulates that when play is halted for a goalkeeper needing medical attention, the coach must designate an outfield player to leave the pitch for one minute as soon as play resumes. If the coach fails to make this designation within 10 seconds, the team captain is required to exit the field.
The newly introduced rule was put into effect during Santos’ 3-0 victory over Vasco, when goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao sought medical assistance. Following the coach’s failure to identify an outfield player in the allotted time, the referee instructed Neymar to leave the field.
Neymar, 34, had previously appeared as a substitute in two matches for Brazil during this year’s World Cup, scoring a late penalty in the national team’s 2-1 defeat to Norway in the round of 16.
