La Liga and Venezuela's FUTVE introduce new 2026 football rules

Spain's top division, La Liga, will apply a national version of the "Ley Vinicius" from the 2026/27 season. The Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) said players who cover their mouths while speaking to opponents or officials will receive a yellow card, a milder sanction than the red‑card rule used by FIFA at the 2026 World Cup. The measure, inspired by incidents involving Vinícius Júnior and other players, aims to help officials identify possible racist or discriminatory language through lip‑reading.

Venezuela's Liga FUTVE announced eight new regulations for its Torneo Clausura 2026, covering the use of VAR, faster substitution procedures, updated penalty‑kick rules, a revised advantage law, medical‑on‑field protocols and disciplinary guidelines. The changes are intended to speed up play, ensure fair decisions and bolster the integrity of the competition.

Both leagues are seeking to modernise match control and curb misconduct ahead of the 2026 football season.