Football leagues introduce new rules to combat time-wasting

Football leagues in Spain and England are implementing significant regulatory changes for the 2026/27 season aimed at reducing deliberate time-wasting and increasing match tempo.

In Spain, LaLiga’s Technical Committee of Referees has introduced measures such as a 10-second limit for substituted players to leave the pitch. If exceeded, the substitute cannot enter until the next stoppage. Additionally, referees will use a visible five-second countdown for delayed restarts like throw-ins or goal kicks; failure to comply may result in a loss of possession. LaLiga has also explicitly rejected the so-called ‘Vinícius law’. A trial rule authorized by IFAB will require players receiving medical attention on the pitch to remain off the field for one minute of real time, a move intended to prevent tactical delays, particularly by goalkeepers.

Similarly, English football will adopt rules designed to curb the ‘dark arts’ of running down the clock. These include penalties for excessive delays during goal kicks and throw-ins, and a ban on using towels to dry the ball during throw-ins. The changes, which mirror protocols seen during the 2022 World Cup, are intended to increase the actual time the ball is in play and reduce player frustration regarding stoppage time.