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Neymar becomes first player forced off pitch under new time-wasting rule set for Premier League trial
Aug 20 2026 10:48 · By onefootball.com · 0 Reads
Santos captain Neymar has become the first player in Brazil's top flight to be ordered off the pitch for a minute under a fresh trial designed to curb time-wasting by goalkeepers currently being tested in the league.
Under the trial, which is to be implemented in other competitions including the Premier League, if play is halted due to a goalkeeper requiring medical care, the coach must immediately nominate an outfield player to leave the field for a minute after play restarts.
Should the coach fail to nominate a player within 10 seconds, the captain of the team must be the one to leave the field.
During Santos's 3-0 victory over Vasco on Sunday, the rule was enforced for the first time in Brazil's Serie A as goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao requested medical attention.
As the Santos coach did not nominate another team member within 10 seconds, the referee instructed captain Neymar to leave the field.
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Neymar still helped his side to a comfortable win (Getty)
He subsequently came back on to help his side to a routine victory.
Neymar recently made just two appearances at the World Cup after struggling with a calf injury during the tournament.
He came off the bench to score a penalty in Brazil’s 2-1 defeat by Norway in the last-16, and revealed afterwards that he was planning to retire from international football.
The 34-year-old was visibly emotional after his team’s World Cup exit and was asked to confirm whether he was planning to play for Brazil again a couple of weeks after the tournament.
Reiterating the same message, Neymar told reporters in late July: "I think my time with the national team has already passed. I made history there, and I'm very happy about it. I experienced a lot there, gave my blood and my life, and always fought and battled for the yellow jersey. But I don't think I want it anymore.”
Neymar has enjoyed a stellar club career with Santos, Barcelona, and PSG, yet secured only one senior title with the national team, the Confederations Cup in 2013.