FIFA has initiated several changes and new rules in the matches of the 2026 World Cup, changes that will also be implemented in the new season of the Superliga, the 2026/2027 edition.
A season that will kick off tonight at 8:30 p.m. in Bănie, with the Romanian Super Cup match between Universitatea Craiova and Universitatea Cluj, a live text match on SpotMedia.ro.
And for the first time in Romanian football, six new rules will be applied, introduced for the first time this summer at the World Cup.
Regarding the specifics, as stated in the press release issued by the Romanian Football Federation:
"Substituted players have only ten seconds to leave the field. Exceeding this limit will delay the entry of the substitute player until the first interruption that occurs after one minute (continuous time);
Players receiving medical care on the field or causing a stoppage of play due to an injury will be required to stay off the field for one minute (continuous time) after the game resumes;
The VAR system can intervene in the case of a red card wrongly awarded, following a clearly incorrect second yellow, and also when a player is mistakenly penalized instead of another. Incorrect awarding of a corner kick can also be quickly corrected without delaying the game.
A yellow card will no longer be given for an attempt to stop a clear goal-scoring opportunity if the advantage is applied and a goal is scored.
A five-second countdown will be used when a player or team delays a throw-in from the touchline; if the time limit is exceeded, possession of the ball will be awarded to the opposing team.
Covering the mouth while addressing an opponent will be punished with a straight red card," as stated in the press release from the Romanian football leadership.
In addition, the new VAR HUB of the Romanian Football Federation will be implemented in the Super Cup match, and 4 video referees will oversee the contentious incidents in this important match. For the Romanian Super Cup, the CCA has appointed Adrian Cojocaru (VAR referee) and Valentin Porumbel (VAR assistant).
D.A.