Memphis Depay has rapidly become one of the most talked-about players in Brazil, especially with Neymar making his return to Santos. This time, however, Depay is in the spotlight not for his goals or assists, but for instigating a rule change in Brazilian soccer following a bold act during a match.
During the semifinals of the Campeonato Paulista, Depay and Neymar, who are now teammates in Brazil and old friends, faced off as Corinthians triumphed over Santos. This win propelled Depay’s Corinthians to the finals against Palmeiras, where they secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg ahead of the crucial match at Neo Quimica Arena on March 27.
As the clock ticked down and Corinthians aimed to defend their lead, Depay found himself near the corner flag in the 89th minute. In a moment perceived by many as showboating or provocation, he stood on the ball, inciting a furious response from Palmeiras players and leading to a brief brawl.
Corinthians eventually claimed the title, but the focus quickly shifted to Depay’s viral moment, which dominated social media and caught the attention of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
CBF Responds with New Rule
In less than two weeks, the CBF issued a memo to clubs and federations confirming that players who stand on or step on the ball during matches in the Campeonato Brasileiro will now receive a yellow card. The governing body outlined the rationale behind this new regulation:
“Different circumstances warrant a yellow card for unsporting behavior, including a lack of respect for the game,” stated a section of the memo.
This announcement arrived just a day before Depay’s next match, a 3-0 victory over Vasco da Gama. In that encounter, the Dutch forward endured a harsh tackle on his right ankle, which he later addressed on social media. In the post-match interview, Depay expressed his dissatisfaction with the federation’s priorities:
“I’m unsure what VAR was doing today. In the first half, they could have reviewed the tackle on my ankle—it was worthy of a red card. But instead, they choose to create rules like the one prohibiting standing on the ball. What are we really discussing? Football, right? If this continues, those governing football in Brazil will end up making the wrong decisions,” Memphis complained.
“Brazil is the home of football, and football is played not just with feet, but also with the mind. They need to improve their approach,” he concluded.
