Belgium-France: Kevin De Bruyne challenges new rule

During the Belgium‑France match in the Nations League, played on Monday 28 September 2026, Kevin De Bruyne reacted violently to the referee who was imposing a new FIFA measure on him, sparking an incident that dominated the headlines.

New FIFA measure

Introduced the previous summer during the World Cup, the rule requires any player receiving treatment on the pitch to leave the playing area for one minute before being allowed to return, in order to curb time‑wasting.

In the 34th minute, the French player, described as “the Neapolitan”, was hit in the face by a ball and had to be attended to by the French squad’s medical staff.

The Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic then asked him to step off the field for one minute, in line with the new provision.

Van Bommel admits French superiority after his first defeat

Disciplinary consequences

Kevin De Bruyne, displeased, pushed the referee with a wave of his arm and insulted him by saying “Fuck off man”, without receiving a warning at that moment.

He waited the imposed minute along the touchline before being allowed to return to the pitch.

In the second half, in the 57th minute, he was shown a yellow card for a foul, then was substituted in the 63rd minute by Hans Vanaken.

Coach Mark van Bommel said: “I told the lads that I have nothing to blame them for. When you see how quickly they pick up our style of play, it shows they’re doing very well… We are on the right track, even if we lose this match.”