Liga Futve to Adopt Seven Rule Changes for Torneo Clausura

Referees in Venezuela's Liga Futve are gearing up for the Torneo Clausura with seven significant rule changes set to take effect. Referees Juan Soto and Juan Urrego, who participated in the 2026 World Cup alongside Jesús Valenzuela, detailed these upcoming modifications.

Among the changes are three adjustments to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocols. These cover the evaluation of second yellow cards, handling mistaken identity situations, and correcting corner kicks. The aim is to streamline decision-making and ensure greater accuracy on the field.

Specific alterations also impact player substitutions and the management of injured players. As explained by Soto, once a substitution is signaled, the departing player has ten seconds to leave the field. Failure to comply means the incoming player must wait at least a minute to enter the game. Urrego highlighted a rule for injured players: if a referee stops play for an evaluation, the player must leave the field for one minute after play resumes.

Further changes affect set pieces. For throw-ins, a player now has five seconds to execute the throw once they have the ball on the line; otherwise, possession transfers to the opposing team. Similarly, for goal kicks, the goalkeeper or a teammate has five seconds after the referee's whistle to put the ball into play from the 5.5-meter area. If not, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.

The VAR protocol enhancements include making clear second yellow cards that were mistakenly issued reviewable. The mistaken identity protocol now extends to include opponents, not just teammates of the sanctioned player. Additionally, VAR can now review clearly erroneous corner kicks, with the referee to be notified if a quick review confirms an error.