The Technical Committee of Referees has announced new rules for the 2026/27 Spanish football season to curb time-wasting and expand video assistant referee interventions across LaLiga. Official communications from the Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed the updates, which adopt several measures used during the recent World Cup.
With just over a week remaining before the new league season begins, teams are preparing for the upcoming changes. The opening matchday features Barcelona against Athletic Club and Real Madrid facing Real Sociedad.
Substitutions and player departures
Under the updated regulations, substituted players must leave the pitch within 10 seconds. If a player exceeds this time limit, the substitute must wait one minute of real time before entering the game.
Specific instructions apply to goalkeepers being replaced during matches. Goalkeepers must leave the field across the goal line, or their substitute enters immediately while the departing goalkeeper receives a yellow card.
Measures against time-wasting
Any player who receives medical attention on the pitch must leave the field and remain off for one minute of real time after play resumes. Exceptions are made for goalkeeper injuries, collisions between multiple players, or incidents resulting from a foul that received a disciplinary card.
The technical committee will also participate in a trial authorized by the International Football Association Board to prevent tactical injury delays, particularly by goalkeepers. In addition, delaying a throw-in transfers possession to the opposing team, while delaying a goal kick yields a corner kick to the opponent.
Penalty kicks and covering the mouth
The regulations update the handling of accidental double touches during penalty kicks. If a penalty taker unintentionally touches the ball twice and scores, the referee orders a retake. If the taker touches the ball twice and misses, the attempt is recorded as missed.
Referees will not issue a direct red card simply because a player covers their mouth while speaking. However, the committee warned that referees may issue a yellow card if a player covers their mouth during a confrontation or protest to hide communication. Disciplinary bodies may take further action if subsequent reviews reveal offensive, insulting, or abusive language.
Expanded VAR intervention
The scope of video assistant referee interventions will expand for the new season. VAR officials can now review incorrect second yellow cards, mistakes in player identity, incorrectly awarded corner kicks, and infringements occurring prior to goal-scoring plays.
