By Kwame Bediako
Spanish football is implementing a series of new rule changes aligned with the latest IFAB (International Football Association Board) laws, many of which were trialled at the 2026 World Cup and are now being rolled out across Europe’s top leagues. La Liga and other Spanish competitions will follow these global updates, which focus on reducing time-wasting and clarifying VAR protocols.
10-second substitution rule
Players being substituted must now leave the field within 10 seconds of the substitution board being shown or the referee’s signal. If the player does not exit within 10 seconds, the substitute cannot enter until the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed, and the delayed player can be cautioned if they excessively delay the restart.
Goalkeeper injury and outfield-player reduction
Where play is stopped for a goalkeeper injury, one outfield player from the team must leave the field for one minute to balance the numbers, as part of IFAB’s new provisions for goalkeeper injuries. This rule aims to prevent teams from gaining an unfair advantage from extended goalkeeper treatment.
Penalty retakes after accidental double touch
Under the updated penalty-kick laws, if a penalty is scored after an accidental “double touch” (the kicker touching the ball twice before another player does), the penalty must be retaken. This replaces the previous practice where such a goal might stand, and it aligns with the clearer wording introduced for 2026.
Throw-in and goal-kick time-wasting sanctions
New guidelines also target time-wasting on restarts: excessive delay in taking a throw-in can result in possession being awarded to the opposition, while significant delay in taking a goal kick can lead to a corner being awarded. These are being enforced more strictly in Spain after IFAB’s 2026 amendments.
Expanded VAR scope: second yellow cards and restarts
From 2026/27, VAR in Spain will be able to review certain second yellow cards and correct “clearly incorrect” second cautions that lead to a red. VAR will also have an expanded role in correcting obviously wrong decisions on restarts, including some corner-kick awards, though it still cannot review every routine restart.
