The Campeonato Brasileiro will implement 10 major refereeing and protocol changes starting from the 23rd round, following an agreement reached by club directors and the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) in Rio de Janeiro, according to reports from A Gazeta and Terra. The sweeping updates, mirroring standards used during the FIFA World Cup and proposed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), aim to slash time-wasting and boost match dynamism across Série A, Série B, the Copa do Brasil, and Feminino A1 fixtures.
The Push for More Active Play
Data compiled by OPTA Stats Perform and presented by the CBF revealed that the average ball-rolling time in the Brasileirão sat at just 52 minutes and 54 seconds prior to the international break. FIFA’s target stands firmly at 60 minutes. To bridge that gap, officials approved a strict series of timing limits designed to stamp out tactical delays.
Goalkeepers now face a strict eight-second limit when holding the ball; exceeding the threshold results in a corner kick awarded to the opposing team. Similarly, throw-ins must be taken within five seconds once a player secures the ball, and goal kicks carry a five-second count starting from the referee’s whistle. Substitutions also face a hard 10-second limit, forcing departing players to exit via the nearest boundary line without sauntering.
Strict Medical and Disciplinary Protocols
Players receiving medical attention on the pitch must now leave the field and remain on the sidelines for one full minute before re-entering. If a team’s medical staff enters to treat a goalkeeper, an outfield teammate—designated by the coach or captain—must also spend a minute off the pitch.
Disciplinary rules have likewise tightened. Only team captains are permitted to speak directly with referees, establishing a single interlocutor per side for the duration of the match. Furthermore, the newly introduced “Lei Vini Jr.” mandates an automatic red card for any player who intentionally covers their mouth with their hands while arguing with an opponent or official.
Expanded VAR Authority
The video assistant referee protocol has grown significantly more expansive. Previously restricted to reviewing goals, direct red cards, penalties, and mistaken identity, the system now permits interventions for potential second yellow cards that lead to an expulsion. Additionally, checks for mistakenly awarded corner kicks that directly result in a goal or penalty have been approved for implementation by 2027, allowing the VAR to notify the referee directly on objective incidents without requiring a pitch-side monitor review.
While the vast majority of club presidents backed the overhaul during the summit in Rio, reporting from Estadão highlighted that some executives viewed the mid-season rollout as premature. Nevertheless, the CBF’s schedule moves forward, marking a fundamental shift in how domestic matches are officiated.
