Turkish Super Lig adopts sweeping rule changes for 2026‑27 season

The Turkey Football Federation (TFF) has announced a comprehensive set of rule changes for the 2026‑27 Süper Lig season aimed at speeding up play and tightening discipline. Under the new regulations, a player who leaves the field after a referee’s flag must exit within ten seconds; failure to do so results in a one‑minute suspension for the substitute. Similar one‑minute bans apply to injured players who cause a stoppage.

Delay tactics will be penalised with a five‑second countdown after the referee’s whistle, and if a throw‑in or goal‑kick is delayed, the opposing team will be awarded a corner. The VAR system’s scope is broadened to intervene on clearly erroneous second yellow cards, mistaken corner decisions and pre‑play infringements that lead to goals or penalties. A new yellow‑card offence will be issued for players covering their mouths while speaking, with further sanctions for hate‑related remarks discovered after matches. Cooling‑breaks are now permitted only when ambient temperature exceeds 32 °C and may not exceed three minutes per half.