Football federations adopt faster‑play rules

Following Argentina’s July 2026 rollout of seven fast‑play regulations for the Primera Nacional, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed that LaLiga and other Spanish competitions will adopt the same IFAB‑approved changes for the 2026‑27 season. The Spanish package mirrors Argentina’s timing limits, adds a five‑second visual countdown for delayed throw‑ins, and expands VAR authority to review expulsions, mistaken‑identity red cards, second‑yellow errors, corner decisions and penalty double‑touch incidents. A softened “Vini Jr. law” now issues a yellow card when a player covers his mouth during an argument.

On 4 August 2026 the RFEF detailed implementation: substituted players must leave the field within ten seconds, otherwise the replacement may only enter after the next stoppage following a one‑minute interval; any player receiving on‑field medical treatment must stay off the pitch for one minute, with an outfield teammate exiting for a minute when a goalkeeper is treated. Goal‑kicks taken late result in a corner award, and penalty kicks are retaken if the kicker accidentally touches the ball twice.

In the same announcement UEFA said the suspension threshold in its club‑competition league phase will rise from three to four yellow cards, with further suspensions after every two additional yellows. These measures are part of a coordinated effort by IFAB, UEFA and national federations to speed up play, curb time‑wasting and improve officiating consistency across Europe and South America.