Neymar speaks out after Memphis Depay behaviour prompts official football rule change in Brazil

A huge rule change is set to be enforced in Brazilian football after what Memphis Depay did during Corinthians’ match against Palmeiras.

Depay, 31, made the move to Brazil in September and has since become one of the most talked about players in the country - before Neymar returned that is.

However, the former Manchester United winger hit the headline on March 27 after what he did caused a brawl in a match between Corinthians and Palmeiras.

With Corinthians defending a 1-0 advantage, Depay decided to take the ball towards the corner flag with just minutes remaining - something that is seen across the world of football.

But it was what he did next that really annoyed his opponents, the 31-year-old stood on the ball, an act seen as a showboating by many, which prompted an angry reaction from the Palmeiras players before a brawl ensued.

Now as reported by World Soccer Talk Brazilian Football Federation the CBF, have released a memo "issued 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”.

Memphis Depay started a mass brawl by standing on the ball last night... 🇧🇷👊 pic.twitter.com/Hmq1zA1Wze

— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) March 28, 2025

“There are different circumstances in which a player must be cautioned with a yellow card for unsporting behaviour,” the memo explained.

Speaking in a post-match interview after his side's 3-0 win against Vasco da Gama on Saturday, Depay said: “I don’t know what VAR did today. In the first half, they could have checked the play on my ankle—it was a foul worthy of a red card. But instead, they prefer to make rules like the one about not standing on the ball. What are we talking about? Football, right? I think if it goes on like this, those in charge of football in Brazil will end up doing the wrong thing.”

Now, Neymar, who is known for his showboating, has also had his say on the rule change.

“Football is getting more and more boring, too much complaining," the Santos star said via an Instagram comment translated from Portuguese to English.

It must be noted that the rule change does not directly relate to the incident involving Depay as standing on the ball is a tactic used throughout football.