Yellow Card for Players Who Stand on the Ball, Says Brazilian FA 

Corinthians' Dutch forward #10 Memphis Depay reacts at the end of the Copa Sudamericana group stage football match between Brazil's Corinthians and Argentina's Huracan at the Neo Quimica Arena stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 2, 2025. (AFP)
Corinthians' Dutch forward #10 Memphis Depay reacts at the end of the Copa Sudamericana group stage football match between Brazil's Corinthians and Argentina's Huracan at the Neo Quimica Arena stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 2, 2025. (AFP)
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Yellow Card for Players Who Stand on the Ball, Says Brazilian FA 

Corinthians' Dutch forward #10 Memphis Depay reacts at the end of the Copa Sudamericana group stage football match between Brazil's Corinthians and Argentina's Huracan at the Neo Quimica Arena stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 2, 2025. (AFP)
Corinthians' Dutch forward #10 Memphis Depay reacts at the end of the Copa Sudamericana group stage football match between Brazil's Corinthians and Argentina's Huracan at the Neo Quimica Arena stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 2, 2025. (AFP)

Brazil's soccer federation (CBF) has directed referees to punish players who stand on the ball with yellow cards, after a similar move by Dutch forward Memphis Depay in the Paulista Championship final sparked a brawl.

Three days after Dutch striker Depay's act, two players were given yellow cards for standing on the ball during a match between Bolivia and Brazil in the South American U17 Championship.

"Last week, (continental body) CONMEBOL advised... of the need to comply with the technical and disciplinary measure, indirect free kick and yellow card, respectively, when an athlete carries out this act," the CBF said in a statement on Sunday.

The CBF clarified they had followed CONMEBOL's recommendation in implementing the regulation, after Depay criticized them following media reports about the new rule, saying he did not see an issue with what he did.

"Let’s focus on what rules can improve the sport and focus on the business side of football, what benefits the clubs the fans and players, instead of these silly announcements," Depay wrote on X on Sunday.

Depay stood on the ball in front of opposing defenders on March 27 as his club Corinthians closed in on the Paulista title during a goalless game against Palmeiras, after his team won the first leg 1-0.

Two defenders ran up to the former Manchester United and Barcelona player, who went down near the touchline where Corinthians substitutes were warming up, leading to a brawl between the two teams. The match was held up for several minutes.

Corinthians went on to win the title with the match ending goalless after 16 minutes of stoppage time.



Reports: Forest’s Awoniyi Undergoes Surgery After Colliding with Post

Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Leicester City - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - May 11, 2025 Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi reacts after sustaining an injury as Jota Silva looks on. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Leicester City - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - May 11, 2025 Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi reacts after sustaining an injury as Jota Silva looks on. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Reports: Forest’s Awoniyi Undergoes Surgery After Colliding with Post

Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Leicester City - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - May 11, 2025 Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi reacts after sustaining an injury as Jota Silva looks on. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Leicester City - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - May 11, 2025 Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi reacts after sustaining an injury as Jota Silva looks on. (Action Images via Reuters)

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi underwent surgery for an abdominal injury on Monday after he clattered into a post during their 2-2 Premier League draw with Leicester City a day earlier, British media reports said. 

Substitute Awoniyi rejoined the game after receiving treatment but was limping around for the last 10 minutes. 

The club have yet to respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours in Britain. 

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed frustration over Awoniyi not being substituted, with manager Nuno Espirito Santo saying the Nigeria international was left on due to a misunderstanding between the coaching and medical departments. 

Forest, a point behind fifth-placed Chelsea, visit West Ham United on Sunday.