CBF Launches Professional Refereeing Program and Enforces New Rules to Combat Time-Wasting in 2026
CBF professionalizes football refereeing with fixed contracts and addresses time-wasting and foul simulation through new rules for 2026.
- • CBF's Professional Refereeing Program involves 72 officials with salaries and variable pay starting March 2026.
- • CBF will invest R$195 million during 2026/2027 to improve refereeing standards and technology.
- • New rules to limit throw-in and goal kick times to five seconds aim to combat game delays and foul simulations.
- • Concerns over simulation of fouls persist, with Neymar cited as a frequent practitioner; Vila Nova highlights injury issues.
Key details
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has officially initiated its Professional Refereeing Program (PRO) for the 2026 football season, aiming to enhance the quality and integrity of match officiating. This program involves 72 professionals from Série A, including referees, assistants, and video referees, with 20 central referees (11 FIFA-certified), 40 assistants (20 FIFA-certified), and 12 video referees. Starting from March 2026, referees will receive fixed salaries, supplemented by variable payments based on matches officiated. CBF will cover all arbitration fees through an Annual Fund dedicated to refereeing development. An investment of approximately R$195 million will support this initiative through 2027, focusing on four pillars: General Structure, Excellence in Health, Technical Training, and Technology and Innovation. The first Technical Seminar is scheduled for March 31 to April 3 at Granja Comary, featuring physical and technical training, evaluations, and discussions on standardized arbitration practices and new technological tools.
Concurrently, football regulatory bodies are working on new rules to curb time-wasting ("cera") and simulation of fouls during matches, issues that have impacted the flow and fairness of games. These regulations, set for implementation in the upcoming World Cup, restrict throw-ins and goal kick execution to no more than five seconds, with penalties for teams violating this limit. Simulation of fouls remains a major concern, with high-profile players like Neymar often cited for frequent exaggerations. Additionally, concerns about excessive injuries, as voiced by Vila Nova's vice-president Hugo Bravo, underscore the need for improved player preparation and fairness in officiating.
Together, these efforts by CBF and football regulatory entities mark a comprehensive approach to professionalizing officiating and enhancing the sport's quality in Brazil.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
