The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has announced that players who engage in the act of “standing on the ball” during matches will now face disciplinary actions.
Specifically, referees are instructed to award an indirect free kick to the opposing team and issue a yellow card to the offending player for unsporting behavior.
Here are the 3 players who have forced the Brazil federation to take this decision.
Memphis Depay (Corinthians):
In the final of the Campeonato Paulista, Depay made headlines by deliberately standing on the ball near the corner flag—a move that not only sparked on‐field chaos but also drew sharp reactions from rivals and even his own teammates. Despite the controversy, Corinthians secured the Paulista title, with the final match ending in a goalless draw, leveraging their 1-0 advantage from the first leg.
Ruan Pablo (Brazil U‑17):
During a recent South American U‑17 match between Brazil and Bolivia, the striker from Bahia imitated that same provocative gesture. His action earned him a yellow card, with commentators noting the move as a clear sign of disrespect.
Additionally, we can also recall a past incident involving Soteldo (from his 2023 stint with Santos) where he performed a similar act during a match against Vasco da Gama.
Memphis Depay has publicly criticized the new regulation, suggesting that efforts should focus on enhancing the sport and addressing broader issues rather than implementing what he termed “silly announcements.”
