Brazilian soccer star Neymar of Santos became the first player to be sidelined for one minute under a rule trialed in Brazilian professional soccer to curb time-wasting by goalkeepers.
Neymar had to leave the field for one minute during Santos' away match against Vasco da Gama in Brazil's Serie A, the country's top division, held in Rio de Janeiro on the 17th (Korea time).
Neymar's one-minute removal came under a rule being tested in the Brazilian league. According to Reuters, Serie A is trialing a rule to prevent goalkeepers from deliberately wasting time under the guise of injury treatment, and Neymar became the first player it applied to.
When play is stopped for a goalkeeper's treatment, the manager of that team must, upon resumption, designate one of the outfield players to leave the field for one minute.
If the manager fails to name a player within 10 seconds, that team's captain must stay off the field for one minute. The rule is set to be introduced in England's Premier League (EPL) and elsewhere in the 2026-2027 season.
In this match, the new rule took effect after Santos goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão requested treatment. Santos manager Cuca failed to select a player to be removed for one minute within 10 seconds, and the referee ordered captain Neymar to leave the field.
Meanwhile, Santos, playing the full match apart from the one minute Neymar spent off the pitch, defeated Vasco da Gama 3-0.
