What match-flow rules does the CPL use in 2026 to cut time wasting?
Rule- Canada
- Canadian Premier League
- CPL
- Professional soccer
- 2026
- Fans
The CPL says it is applying three match-flow measures from IFAB in 2026:
- Throw-ins and goal kicks: if the referee decides one is being deliberately delayed, a five-second visual countdown starts. If the ball is not in play before it ends, the throw-in goes to the opponents, or a corner kick is awarded in the case of a delayed goal kick.
- Substitutions: a substituted player must leave the field within ten seconds of the substitution board being shown. If not, the substitute cannot enter until the first stoppage after one minute (running clock) has passed since the restart.
- Off-field treatment: a player who is assessed on the field for an injury, or whose injury stops play, must leave the field and stay off for one minute (running clock) after play resumes.
Added 25 Oct 2026