Santos win highlights Neymar’s unusual punishment under Brazil’s latest anti-time-wasting law

Neymar became the first prominent player affected by a new anti-time-wasting rule in the Brazilian league as Santos beat Vasco da Gama 3-0 at Sao Januario.

The Santos captain was ordered to leave the pitch for one minute after goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao received treatment during the match. The referee judged the stoppage to fall under the competition’s new procedure, which was introduced for the first time in league matches this week.

Neymar completed the game and played a decisive role despite recent fitness concerns. He was involved in two of Santos’ three goals as his side scored all three times during the final 20 minutes to move temporarily out of the relegation zone.

Gabriel Barbosa, known as “Gabigol”, opened the scoring in the 68th minute. Willian Arao doubled Santos’ advantage nine minutes later after Vasco goalkeeper Leo Jardim failed to deal with a cross from Neymar.

Santos completed the victory four minutes later when Luan Peres followed up after Jardim could only parry a powerful free-kick from Neymar. The ball fell to Peres, who converted the rebound to complete the 3-0 win.

The result lifted Santos to 25 points from 23 matches, although they remain dependent on the outcome of other games in the round to determine whether they stay outside the relegation places.

The victory also extended a positive period for Santos. They have reached the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil and defeated Ecuadorian club Macara in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana round-of-16 tie.

For Vasco da Gama, the evening ended in heavy disappointment. The home side collapsed during the closing stages at Sao Januario, while supporters directed whistles at goalkeeper Leo Jardim after the final whistle.

How the new rule works

The new regulation applies when play is stopped because a goalkeeper is injured. The coach must nominate an outfield player to leave the pitch, and that player must remain off the field for at least one minute after the game restarts.

If the coach does not identify a player within 10 seconds of the medical staff being allowed on to the pitch, the team captain must leave automatically.

In this case, Neymar was required to serve the temporary dismissal because he was Santos’ captain. He returned to the match after the one-minute period had elapsed.

There are several exceptions to the rule. They include an injury to a goalkeeper caused by an offence that results in a free-kick and requires immediate treatment, a collision between the goalkeeper and an outfield player that requires both to receive medical attention, and situations in which the goalkeeper is bleeding.