In the first half of the match between Ivory Coast and Ecuador, on Sunday night (14), a new FIFA rule was applied in relation to medical care during the World Cup.
The player who receives treatment on the field by a physiotherapist or doctor or who has an injury that causes the match to be stopped must remain off the field for 60 seconds, counting from the resumption of the game. After this one-minute period, he will be able to return to the field.
That’s what happened to Ecuadorian striker Caicedo in the 20th minute. He had fallen in a move inside the area, and referee François Letexier stopped the game. As the player quickly got up, the referee sent him off the pitch to wait a minute. The player got very angry and even shouted at the assistant referee before returning.
In this edition of the World Cup, FIFA defined some general changes to the rules, mainly to make the show more fluid and without so many interruptions.
Therefore, replacements now need to be made within ten seconds. If the player leaving takes longer than that, he will leave anyway, but his replacement will have to wait a minute before entering the field.
Another new feature is that players who cover their mouth with their hand, arm or shirt during an argument with their opponent may be punished with a red card.
In relation to the use of VAR, the video referee can be used to correct an incorrectly applied yellow card, clarify punishments for the wrong player or team and correct incorrectly awarded corners.
And finally, players can no longer go to the technical area to talk to coaches when goalkeepers are injured, as was customary. Athletes must remain on the field.
