The new rules that the Brazilian soccer ruling body CBF has added to the 2008 competitions will be more rigorous than before, local press reported on Saturday.

The purpose it to avoid episodes like Corinthians made this year. During a game against Vasco, the Corinthians staff purposely threw an extra ball onto the field to avoid a break away counterattack by a Rio de Janeiro team.

Another scene was the delay in entering the field against Gremio.

Both episodes were duly punished; however, the CBF seeks to punish such mishaps more severely to avoid the situations to take place again.

Next season, any team who enters the field late, like the 17 minute delay by Corinthians, will suffer heftier fines.

According to the new rule, for every minute that a team is late in entering the field, the team will be fined nearly 5,000 U.S. dollars.

Additionally, the new rules will demand more thorough inspection and security of the stadiums.

This new rule was created in light of the tragic death of seven fans in the Fonte Nova stadium in Bahia, who fell through the stadium floor.

Finally, the CBF is attempting to limit the bureaucracy between soccer clubs and players. Starting next year, the CBF will only accept official contracts via e-mails or electronic communication.
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(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2007)