The CTA introduces the VAR review for identity error and warns that covering your mouth may result in yellow

The Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) presented this Tuesday the modifications to the Rules of the Game that will be applied in the 2026/27 season, an update marked by the expansion of situations reviewable by the VAR, the possibility of warning players who cover their mouths to hide their words in confrontations and a tightening of the measures against loss of time.

One of the main novelties affects the VAR protocol, which may intervene when the referee has shown a yellow or red card to the wrong player due to an identity mistake. The review will only allow the identity of the sanctioned player to be corrected, but not the infraction itself, unless it falls within one of the already reviewable assumptions, such as goals, penalties or direct red cards.

In addition, the VAR may also correct, as long as it is immediately and before the restart, corner kicks awarded clearly incorrectly and even review second yellow cards when they derive from a manifestly erroneous decision.

The CTA also set the criterion on one of the increasingly common images on the playing fields: footballers who cover their mouths when talking to teammates or rivals. The refereeing body will not consider this behavior, in itself, a reason for expulsion, but it does warn that it may be sanctioned with a yellow card when it occurs during a confrontation, protest or similar situation with the deliberate objective of hiding the communication. Likewise, remember that if it is later shown that the comments contained offensive, insulting or abusive language, the disciplinary bodies may take action.

Another notable novelty affects tactical injuries, especially those caused by goalkeepers. The CTA will participate in a test authorized by the IFAB to combat this type of actions intended to stop the game, while, in general, any player who receives medical attention on the field of play must leave the field and remain off the field for one minute of real time after the restart, except for the exceptions already provided, such as injuries to the goalkeeper, collisions between several players or actions derived from a disciplinary foul.

In the fight against time losses, a limit of ten seconds is also introduced for a substituted player to leave the field of play once the referee authorizes the change. If this time is exceeded, the substitute will not be able to enter until the next interruption after one minute of actual play. In the case of goalkeepers, they must always leave the field along the goal line and, if they delay the change, they will be reprimanded, although the substitute may immediately enter the field of play.

The procedures for throw-ins and goal kicks also change. When a team deliberately delays the restart, the referee will start a five-second visual countdown. If the throw-in is not taken within that period, possession will pass to the opponent; If it is a goal kick, the punishment will be a corner kick for the opposing team.

Among the technical modifications is also that the dropped ball will be awarded to the team that would foreseeably have maintained or recovered possession if the game had not been stopped. In addition, the procedure is clarified for penalties with an accidental double touch by the kicker, which must be repeated if the ball ends in a goal and will be considered missed if they do not end up inside the goal.

The CTA also confirmed that cooling breaks can only be applied when the temperature reaches 32 degrees and have been planned before the match. On the other hand, automatic hydration breaks will not be implemented, although the referee may allow players to drink during natural interruptions in the game when weather conditions so advise.