the laws of the game 2016/17 - meadowridgeafc.co.za · football bodies football terms referee terms...

THELAWSOFTHEGAME2016/17WordversionofEnglishtextonly

ContentsIntroductionHistoryofTheIFABStructureandworkingofTheIFABBackgroundtothecurrentLawrevision

NotesontheLawsoftheGame

LawsoftheGame2016/1701TheFieldofPlay02TheBall03ThePlayers04ThePlayers’Equipment05TheReferee 06TheOtherMatchOfficials07TheDurationoftheMatch08TheStartandRestartofPlay09TheBallInandOutofPlay10DeterminingtheOutcomeofaMatch11Offside12FoulsandMisconduct13FreeKicks14ThePenaltyKick15TheThrow-in 16TheGoalKick17TheCornerKickLawchanges2016/17OutlinesummaryofLawchangesDetailsofallLawchangesGlossaryFootballbodiesFootballtermsRefereetermsPracticalGuidelinesforMatchOfficialsIntroductionPositioning,MovementandTeamworkBodylanguage,CommunicationandWhistleOtheradvice

• Advantage• Allowancefortimelost• Holdinganopponent• Offside• Treatment/assessmentafteracaution/sending-offoffence

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KeyThemainLawchangesareunderlinedandhighlightedinthemargin.

THELAWSOFTHEGAME2016/17MainchangesareshowninbluehighlightinginthisWordversion

LAW1–THEFIELDOFPLAY1. Fieldsurface

Thefieldofplaymustbeawhollynaturalor,ifcompetitionrulespermit,awhollyartificial playing surface, except where competition rules permit an integratedcombinationofartificialandnaturalmaterials(hybridsystem).Thecolourofartificialsurfacesmustbegreen.Whereartificialsurfacesareusedincompetitionmatchesbetweenrepresentativeteams of national football associations affiliated to FIFA or international clubcompetitionmatches,thesurfacemustmeettherequirementsoftheFIFAQualityProgrammeforFootballTurfortheInternationalMatchStandard,unlessspecialdispensationisgivenbyTheIFAB.2. Dimensions

Thetouchlinemustbelongerthanthegoalline.Length(touchline): minimum 90m (100yds) maximum 120m (130yds)Length(goalline): minimum 45m (50yds) maximum 90m (100yds)3. DimensionsforInternationalmatches

Length(touchline): minimum 100m (110yds) maximum 110m (120yds)Width(goalline) : minimum 64m (70yds) maximum 75m (80yds)Competitionsmaydeterminethelengthofthegoallineandtouchlinewithintheabovedimensions.4. Thetechnicalarea

Thetechnicalarearelatestomatchesplayedinstadiumswithadesignatedseatedareaforteamofficialsandsubstitutesasoutlinedbelow:

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• thetechnicalareashouldonlyextend1m(1yd)oneithersideofthedesignatedseatedareaanduptoadistanceof1m(1yd)fromthetouchline

• markingsshouldbeusedtodefinethearea• thenumberofpersonspermittedtooccupythetechnicalareaisdefinedbythecompetitionrules

• theoccupantsofthetechnicalarea:• are identified before the start of the match in accordance with the

competitionrules• mustbehaveinaresponsiblemanner• must remain within its confines except in special circumstances, e.g. a

physiotherapist/doctor entering the field of play, with the referee’spermission,toassessaninjuredplayer

• onlyonepersonatatimeisauthorisedtoconveytacticalinstructionsfromthetechnicalarea

5. GoalLineTechnology(GLT)

GLTsystemsmaybeusedtoverifywhetheragoalhasbeenscoredtosupportthereferee’sdecision.Where GLT is used, modifications to the goal frame may be permitted inaccordancewiththespecificationsstipulatedintheFIFAQualityProgrammeforGLT andwith the Laws of theGame. The use of GLTmust be stipulated in thecompetitionrules.PrinciplesofGLTGLTappliessolelytothegoallineandisonlyusedtodeterminewhetheragoalhasbeenscored.TheindicationofwhetheragoalhasbeenscoredmustbeimmediateandautomaticallyconfirmedwithinonesecondbytheGLTsystemonlytothematchofficials(viathereferee’swatch,byvibrationandvisualsignal).RequirementsandspecificationsofGLTIfGLTisusedincompetitionmatches,thecompetitionorganisersmustensurethatthesystemiscertifiedaccordingtooneofthefollowingstandards:• FIFAQualityPRO• FIFAQuality• IMS-INTERNATIONALMATCHSTANDARDAnindependenttestinginstitutemustverifytheaccuracyandfunctionalityofthedifferenttechnologyproviders’systemsinaccordancewiththeTestingManual.Ifthe technology does not function in accordance with the Testing Manual, therefereemust not use the GLT system andmust report this to the appropriateauthority.WhereGLTisused,therefereemusttestthetechnology’sfunctionalitybeforethematchassetoutintheFIFAQualityProgrammeforGLTTestingManual.

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6. Commercialadvertising

No formofcommercialadvertising,whetherrealorvirtual, ispermittedon thefield of play, on the ground within the area enclosed by the goal nets or thetechnicalarea,oronthegroundwithin1m(1yd)oftheboundarylinesfromthetimetheteamsenterthefieldofplayuntiltheyhaveleftitathalf-timeandfromthetimetheteamsre-enterthefieldofplayuntiltheendofthematch.Advertisingis not permitted on the goals, nets, flagposts or their flags and no extraneousequipment(cameras,microphonesetc.)maybeattachedtotheseitems.Inaddition,uprightadvertisingmustbeatleast:• 1m(1yd)fromthetouchlinesofthefieldofplay• thesamedistancefromthegoallineasthedepthofthegoalnet• 1m(1yd)fromthegoalnet7. Logosandemblems

Thereproduction,whetherrealorvirtual,ofrepresentativelogosoremblemsofFIFA,confederations,nationalfootballassociations,competitions,clubsorotherbodiesisforbiddenonthefieldofplay,thegoalnetsandtheareastheyenclose,thegoals,andtheflagpostsduringplayingtime.Theyarepermittedontheflagsontheflagposts.LAW3–THEPLAYERS1. NumberofPlayers

Amatchisplayedbytwoteams,eachwithamaximumofelevenplayers;onemustbethegoalkeeper.Amatchmaynotstartorcontinueifeitherteamhasfewerthansevenplayers.If a team has fewer than seven players because one or more players hasdeliberately left the fieldofplay, thereferee isnotobliged tostopplayand theadvantagemaybeplayed,butthematchmustnotresumeaftertheballhasgoneoutofplayifateamdoesnothavetheminimumnumberofsevenplayers.Ifthecompetitionrulesstatethatallplayersandsubstitutesmustbenamedbeforekick-offandateamstartsamatchwithfewerthanelevenplayers,onlytheplayersandsubstitutesnamedinthestartingline-upmaytakepartinthematchupontheirarrival.

Substitutescantakeanyrestartprovidedtheyfirstenterthefieldofplay.If a substitution ismadeduring thehalf-time interval or before extra time, theproceduremustbecompletedbeforethematchrestarts.

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2. Infringementsandsanctions

Ifanamedsubstitutestartsthematchinsteadofanamedplayerandtherefereeisnotinformedofthischange:• therefereeallowsthenamedsubstitutetocontinueplaying• nodisciplinarysanctionistakenagainstthenamedsubstitute• thenamedplayercanbecomeanamedsubstitute• thenumberofsubstitutionsisnotreduced• therefereereportstheincidenttotheappropriateauthoritiesIfaplayerchangesplaceswiththegoalkeeperwithoutthereferee’spermission,thereferee:• allowsplaytocontinue• cautionsbothplayerswhentheballisnextoutofplayForanyotherinfringementsofthisLaw:• theplayersarecautioned• playisrestartedwithanindirectfreekick,fromthepositionoftheballwhenplaywasstopped

3. Playersandsubstitutessentoff

Aplayerwhoissentoff:• before submissionof the team list cannotbenamedon the team list in anycapacity

• afterbeingnamedon the team listandbeforekick-offmaybe replacedbyanamed substitute,who cannot be replaced; thenumber of substitutions theteamcanmakeisnotreduced

• afterthekick-offcannotbereplacedAnamedsubstitutewhoissentoffbeforeorafterthekick-offmaynotbereplaced.4. Extrapersonsonthefieldofplay

Thecoachandotherofficialsnamedontheteamlist(withtheexceptionofplayersorsubstitutes)areteamofficials.Anyonenotnamedontheteamlistasaplayer,substituteorteamofficialisanoutsideagent.Ifateamofficial,substitute,substitutedorsentoffplayeroroutsideagententersthefieldofplaytherefereemust:• onlystopplayifthereisinterferencewithplay• havethepersonremovedwhenplaystops• takeappropriatedisciplinaryactionIfplayisstoppedandtheinterferencewasby:• a teamofficial, substitute, substitutedor sent off player, play restartswith adirectfreekickorpenaltykick

• anoutsideagent,playrestartswithadroppedball

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Ifaballisgoingintothegoalandtheinterferencedoesnotpreventadefendingplayer playing the ball, the goal is awarded if the ball enters the goal (even ifcontactwasmadewiththeball)unlesstheballenterstheopponents’goal.5. Goalscoredwithanextrapersononthefieldofplay

If,afteragoalisscored,therefereerealises,beforeplayrestarts,anextrapersonwasonthefieldofplaywhenthegoalwasscored:therefereemustdisallowthegoaliftheextrapersonwas:• aplayer, substitute, substitutedplayer, sentoffplayeror teamofficial of theteamthatscoredthegoal

• anoutsideagentwhointerferedwithplayunlessagoalresultsasoutlinedabovein‘extrapersonsonthefieldofplay’

Playisrestartedwithagoalkick,cornerkickordroppedball.

therefereemustallowthegoaliftheextrapersonwas:• aplayer, substitute, substitutedplayer, sentoffplayeror teamofficial of theteamthatconcededthegoal

• anoutsideagentwhodidnotinterferewithplayInallcases,therefereemusthavetheextrapersonremovedfromthefieldofplay.If,afteragoalisscoredandplayhasrestarted,therefereerealisesanextrapersonwasonthefieldofplaywhenthegoalwasscored,thegoalcannotbedisallowed.Iftheextrapersonisstillonthefieldtherefereemust:• stopplay• havetheextrapersonremoved• restartwithadroppedballorfreekickasappropriateTherefereemustreporttheincidenttotheappropriateauthorities.6. Teamcaptain

The team captain has no special status or privileges but has a degree ofresponsibilityforthebehaviouroftheteam.

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LAW4–THEPLAYERS’EQUIPMENT1. Safety2. Compulsoryequipment

Thecompulsoryequipmentofaplayercomprisesthefollowingseparateitems:• ashirtwithsleeves• shorts• socks–tapeoranymaterialappliedorwornexternallymustbethesamecolourasthatpartofthesockitisappliedtoorcovers

• shinguards–thesemustbemadeofasuitablematerialtoprovidereasonableprotectionandcoveredbythesocks

• footwearGoalkeepersmayweartracksuitbottoms.Aplayerwhosefootwearorshinguardislostaccidentallymustreplaceitassoonaspossibleandnolaterthanwhentheballnextgoesoutofplay;ifbeforedoingso,theplayerplaystheballand/orscoresagoal,thegoalisawarded.3. Colours

• Thetwoteamsmustwearcoloursthatdistinguishthemfromeachotherandthematchofficials

• Each goalkeeper must wear colours that are distinguishable from the otherplayersandthematchofficials

• Ifthetwogoalkeepers’shirtsarethesamecolourandneitherhasanothershirt,therefereeallowsthematchtobeplayed

Undershirts must be the same colour as the main colour of the shirt sleeve;undershorts/tightsmustbethesamecolourasthemaincolouroftheshortsorthelowestpartoftheshorts-playersofthesameteammustwearthesamecolour.4. Otherequipment

Non-dangerousprotectiveequipment,forexampleheadgear,facemasksandkneeandarmprotectorsmadeofsoft,lightweightpaddedmaterialispermittedasaregoalkeepers’capsandsportsspectacles.Whereheadcoversareworn,theymust:• beblackorthesamemaincolourastheshirt(providedthattheplayersofthesameteamwearthesamecolour)

• beinkeepingwiththeprofessionalappearanceoftheplayer’sequipment• notbeattachedtotheshirt• not be dangerous to the player wearing it or any other player (e.g.opening/closingmechanismaroundneck)

• nothaveanypart(s)extendingoutfromthesurface(protrudingelements)The use of any form of electronic communication between players (includingsubstitutes/substituted and sent off players) and/or technical staff is notpermitted.

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ForanyinfringementofthisLawplayneednotbestoppedandtheplayer:• isinstructedbytherefereetoleavethefieldofplaytocorrecttheequipment• leaveswhenplaystops,unlesstheequipmenthasalreadybeencorrectedAplayerwholeavesthefieldofplaytocorrectorchangeequipmentmust:• havetheequipmentcheckedbyamatchofficialbeforebeingallowedtore-enter• onlyre-enterwiththereferee’spermission(whichmaybegivenduringplay)Aplayerwhoenterswithoutpermissionmustbecautionedandifplayisstoppedtoissuethecaution,anindirectfreekickisawardedfromthepositionoftheballwhenplaywasstopped.LAW5–THEREFEREE1. Theauthorityofthereferee

EachmatchiscontrolledbyarefereewhohasfullauthoritytoenforcetheLawsoftheGameinconnectionwiththematch.2. Decisionsofthereferee

Decisionswillbemadetothebestofthereferee’sabilityaccordingtotheLawsoftheGameandthe‘spiritofthegame’andwillbebasedontheopinionoftherefereewhohas thediscretion to take appropriate actionwithin the frameworkof theLawsoftheGame.The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, includingwhetherornotagoalisscoredandtheresultofthematch,arefinal.Therefereemaynotchangeadecisiononrealisingthat it is incorrectorontheadviceofanothermatchofficialifplayhasrestartedortherefereehassignalledtheendofthefirstorsecondhalf(includingextratime)andleftthefieldofplayorterminatedthematch.Ifarefereeisincapacitated,playmaycontinueunderthesupervisionoftheothermatchofficialsuntiltheballisnextoutofplay.3. Powersandduties

Thereferee:• enforcestheLawsoftheGame• controlsthematchincooperationwiththeothermatchofficials• actsastimekeeper,keepsarecordofthematchandprovidestheappropriateauthoritieswithamatch report, including informationondisciplinaryactionandanyotherincidentsthatoccurredbefore,duringorafterthematch

• supervisesand/orindicatestherestartofplay

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Advantage• allowsplaytocontinuewhenaninfringementoroffenceoccursandthenon-offendingteamwillbenefitfromtheadvantageandpenalisestheinfringementoroffenceiftheanticipatedadvantagedoesnotensueatthattimeorwithinafewseconds.

Disciplinaryaction• punishes the more serious offence, in terms of sanction, restart, physicalseverityandtactical impact,whenmore thanoneoffenceoccursat thesametime

• takesdisciplinaryactionagainstplayersguiltyofcautionableandsending-offoffences

• hastheauthoritytotakedisciplinaryactionfromenteringthefieldofplayforthe pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play after thematch ends(includingkicksfromthepenaltymark).If,beforeenteringthefieldofplayatthestartofthematch,aplayercommitsasending-offoffence,therefereehastheauthoritytopreventtheplayertakingpartinthematch(seeLaw3.6);therefereewillreportanyothermisconduct

• hasthepowertoshowyelloworredcardsfromenteringthefieldofplayatthestartofthematchuntilafterthematchhasended,includingduringthehalf-timeinterval,extratimeandkicksfromthepenaltymark

• takesactionagainstteamofficialswhofailtoactinaresponsiblemannerandmayexpelthemfromthefieldofplayanditsimmediatesurrounds

• actsontheadviceofothermatchofficialsregardingincidentsthattherefereehasnotseen

Injuries• allowsplay tocontinueuntil theball isoutofplay ifaplayer isonlyslightlyinjured

• stopsplayifaplayerisseriouslyinjuredandensuresthattheplayerisremovedfromthefieldofplay.Aninjuredplayermaynotbetreatedonthefieldofplayandmayonlyre-enterafterplayhasrestarted;iftheballisinplay,re-entrymustbefromthetouchlinebutiftheballisoutofplay,itmaybefromanyboundaryline.Exceptionstotherequirementtoleavethefieldofplayareonlywhen:

• agoalkeeperisinjured • agoalkeeperandanoutfieldplayerhavecollidedandneedattention • playersfromthesameteamhavecollidedandneedattention • asevereinjuryhasoccurred • a player is injured as the result of a physical offence for which the

opponentiscautionedorsentoff(e.g.recklessorseriousfoulchallenge),iftheassessment/treatmentiscompletedquickly

• ensuresthatanyplayerbleedingleavesthefieldofplay.Theplayermayonlyre-enteronreceivingasignalfromthereferee,whomustbesatisfiedthatthebleedinghasstoppedandthereisnobloodontheequipment

• iftherefereehasauthorisedthedoctorsand/orstretcherbearerstoenterthefieldofplay,theplayermustleaveonastretcheroronfoot.Aplayerwhodoesnotcomplymustbecautionedforunsportingbehaviour

• iftherefereehasdecidedtocautionorsendoffaplayerwhoisinjuredandhastoleavethefieldofplayfortreatment,thecardmustbeshownbeforetheplayerleaves

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• ifplayhasnotbeenstopped foranotherreason,or ifan injurysufferedbyaplayer is not the result of an infringement of the Laws of the Game, play isrestartedwithadroppedball

Outsideinterference• stops,suspendsorabandonsthematch forany infringementsof theLawsorbecauseofoutsideinterferencee.g.if:

• thefloodlightsareinadequate• anobjectthrownbyaspectatorhitsamatchofficial,aplayerorteamofficial,the refereemayallow thematch tocontinue,or stop, suspendorabandon itdependingontheseverityoftheincident

• a spectatorblowsawhistlewhich interfereswithplay - play is stoppedandrestartedwithadroppedball

• anextraball,otherobjectoranimalentersthefieldofplayduringthematch,therefereemust:• stopplay(andrestartwithadroppedball)onlyifitinterfereswithplay

unless the ball is going into the goal and if the interference does notpreventadefendingplayerplayingtheball,thegoalisawardediftheballenters thegoal (even if contactwasmadewith theball)unless theballenterstheopponents’goal

• allowplaytocontinueifitdoesnotinterferewithplayandhaveitremovedattheearliestpossibleopportunity

• allowsnounauthorisedpersonstoenterthefieldofplay4. Referee’sequipment

Compulsoryequipment:• Whistle(s)• Watches(s)• Redandyellowcards• Notebook(orothermeansofkeepingarecordofthematch)OtherequipmentRefereesmaybepermittedtouse:• Equipmentforcommunicatingwithothermatchofficials–buzzer/beepflags,headsetsetc.

• EPTSorotherfitnessmonitoringequipmentRefereesandothermatchofficialsareprohibitedfromwearingjewelleryoranyotherelectronicequipment.5. RefereeSignals(diagramswillbeinE-versionandLawbook)Inadditiontothecurrent‘twoarmed’signalforanadvantage,asimilar‘onearm’signalisnowpermittedasitisnotalwayseasyforrefereestorunwithbotharmsextended.

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LAW6–THEOTHERMATCHOFFICIALSOther match officials (two assistant referees, fourth official, two additionalassistant referees and reserve assistant referee)may be appointed tomatches.TheywillassisttherefereeincontrollingthematchinaccordancewiththeLawsoftheGamebutthefinaldecisionwillalwaysbetakenbythereferee.Thematchofficialsoperateunderthedirectionofthereferee.Intheeventofundueinterferenceorimproperconduct,therefereewillrelievethemoftheirdutiesandmakeareporttotheappropriateauthorities.With theexceptionof the reserveassistant referee, theyassist the refereewithoffencesand infringementswhentheyhaveaclearerviewthantherefereeandthey must submit a report to the appropriate authorities on any seriousmisconductorotherincidentthatoccurredoutoftheviewoftherefereeandtheothermatchofficials.Theymustadvisetherefereeandothermatchofficialsofanyreportbeingmade.Thematchofficialsassisttherefereewithinspectingthefieldofplay,theballsandplayers’equipment(including ifproblemshavebeenresolved)andmaintainingrecordsoftime,goals,misconductetc.Competitionrulesmuststateclearlywhoreplacesamatchofficialwhoisunabletostart or continue and any associated changes. In particular, it must be clearwhether, if the referee is unable to continue, the fourth official or the seniorassistantrefereeorsenioradditionalassistantrefereetakesover.1. ASSISTANTREFEREES

Theyindicatewhen:• thewholeof theball leaves the fieldof play andwhich team is entitled to acornerkick,goalkickorthrow-in

• aplayerinanoffsidepositionmaybepenalised• asubstitutionisrequested• atpenaltykicks,thegoalkeepermovesoffthegoallinebeforetheballiskickedand if the ball crosses the line; if additional assistant referees have beenappointedtheassistantrefereetakesapositioninlinewiththepenaltymark

The assistant referee’s assistance also includes monitoring the substitutionprocedure.The assistant refereemay enter the field of play to help control the9.15m (10yards)distance.2. FOURTHOFFICIAL

Thefourthofficial’sassistancealsoincludes:• supervisingthesubstitutionprocedure• checkingaplayer’s/substitute’sequipment• there-entryofaplayerfollowingasignal/approvalfromthereferee• supervisingthereplacementballs

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• indicatingtheminimumamountofadditionaltimetherefereeintendstoplayattheendofeachhalf(includingextratime)

• informingtherefereeofirresponsiblebehaviourbyanytechnicalareaoccupant

LAW7–THEDURATIONOFTHEMATCH1. Periodsofplay

Amatch lasts for twoequalhalvesof45minuteswhichmayonlybereduced ifagreedbetweentherefereeandthetwoteamsbeforethestartofthematchandisinaccordancewithcompetitionrules.2. Half-timeinterval

Players are entitled to an interval at half-time, not exceeding 15 minutes.Competitionrulesmuststatethedurationofthehalf-timeintervalanditmaybealteredonlywiththereferee’spermission.3. Allowancefortimelost

Allowanceismadebytherefereeineachhalfforalltimelostinthathalfthrough:• substitutions• assessmentand/orremovalofinjuredplayers• wastingtime• disciplinarysanctions• stoppagesfordrinksorothermedicalreasonspermittedbycompetitionrules• any other cause, including any significant delay to a restart (e.g. goalcelebrations)

Thefourthofficialindicatestheminimumadditionaltimedecidedbytherefereeattheendofthefinalminuteofeachhalf.Theadditionaltimemaybeincreasedbytherefereebutnotreduced.Therefereemustnotcompensateforatimekeepingerrorduringthefirsthalfbychangingthelengthofthesecondhalf.LAW8–THESTARTANDRESTARTOFPLAYAkick-offstartsbothhalvesofamatch,bothhalvesofextratimeandrestartsplayafteragoalhasbeenscored.Freekicks(directorindirect),penaltykicks,throw-ins,goalkicksandcornerkicksareotherrestarts(seeLaws13to17).AdroppedballistherestartwhentherefereestopsplayandtheLawdoesnotrequireoneoftheaboverestarts.Ifaninfringementoccurswhentheballisnotinplaythisdoesnotchangehowplayisrestarted.

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1. Kick-offProcedure

• theteamthatwinsthetossofacoindecideswhichgoalitwillattackinthefirsthalf

• theiropponentstakethekick-off• theteamthatwinsthetosstakesthekick-offtostartthesecondhalf• forthesecondhalf,theteamschangeendsandattacktheoppositegoals• afterateamscoresagoal,thekick-offistakenbytheiropponentsForeverykick-off:• allplayersmustbeintheirownhalfofthefieldofplay• theopponentsoftheteamtakingthekick-offmustbeatleast9.15m(10yds)fromtheballuntilitisinplay

• theballmustbestationaryonthecentremark• therefereegivesasignal• theballisinplaywhenitiskickedandclearlymoves• agoalmaybescoreddirectlyagainsttheopponentsfromthekick-offInfringementsandsanctions

Iftheplayertakingthekick-offtouchestheballagainbeforeithastouchedanotherplayeranindirectfreekick,orfordeliberatehandballadirectfreekick,isawarded.In the event of any other infringement of the kick-off procedure the kick-off isretaken.2. DroppedballProcedure

Therefereedropstheballat thepositionwhere itwaswhenplaywasstopped,unlessplaywasstoppedinsidethegoalareainwhichcasetheballisdroppedonthegoalarealinewhichisparalleltothegoallineatthepointnearesttowheretheballwaswhenplaywasstopped.Theballisinplaywhenittouchestheground.Anynumberofplayersmaycontestadroppedball(includingthegoalkeepers);therefereecannotdecidewhomaycontestadroppedballoritsoutcome.Infringementsandsanctions

Theballisdroppedagainifit:• touchesaplayerbeforeittouchestheground• leavesthefieldofplayafterittouchestheground,withouttouchingaplayerIf a dropped ball enters the goal without touching at least two players play isrestartedwith:

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• agoalkickifitenterstheopponents’goal• acornerkickifitenterstheteam’sgoalLAW9–THEBALLINANDOUTOFPLAY1. Balloutofplay

Theballisoutofplaywhen:• ithaswhollypassedoverthegoallineortouchlineonthegroundorintheair• playhasbeenstoppedbythereferee2. Ballinplay

Theballisinplayatallothertimes,includingwhenitreboundsoffamatchofficial,goalpost,crossbarorcornerflagpostandremainsinthefieldofplay.LAW10–DETERMININGTHEOUTCOMEOFAMATCH1. Goalscored

2. Kicksfromthepenaltymark

Kicks from the penalty mark are taken after the match has ended and unlessotherwisestated,therelevantLawsoftheGameapply.ProcedureBeforekicksfromthepenaltymarkstart• Unlessthereareotherconsiderations(e.g.groundconditions,safetyetc.),therefereetossesacointodecidethegoalatwhichthekickswillbetakenwhichmay only be changed for safety reasons or if the goal or playing surfacebecomesunusable

• The referee tosses a coin again and the team that wins the toss decideswhethertotakethefirstorsecondkick

• Withtheexceptionofasubstituteforaninjuredgoalkeeper,onlyplayerswhoareonthefieldofplayoraretemporarilyoffthefieldofplay(injury,adjustingequipmentetc.)attheendofthematchareeligibletotakekicks

• Each team is responsible for selecting from the eligible players the order inwhichtheywilltakethekicks.Therefereeisnotinformedoftheorder

• Ifattheendofthematchandbeforeorduringthekicksoneteamhasagreaternumberofplayersthanitsopponents,itmustreduceitsnumberstothesamenumberasitsopponentsandtherefereemustbeinformedofthenameandnumberofeachplayerexcluded.Anyexcludedplayer isnoteligible to takepartinthekicks(exceptasoutlinedbelow)

• Agoalkeeperwhoisunabletocontinuebeforeorduringthekicksandwhoseteam has not used its maximum permitted number of substitutes, may be

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replacedbyanamedsubstitute,oraplayerexcludedtoequalisethenumberofplayers,butthegoalkeepertakesnofurtherpartandmaynottakeakick

Duringkicksfromthepenaltymark• Onlyeligibleplayersandmatchofficialsarepermittedtoremainonthefieldofplay

• Alleligibleplayers,excepttheplayertakingthekickandthetwogoalkeepers,mustremainwithinthecentrecircle

• The goalkeeper of the kickermust remain on the field of play, outside thepenaltyarea,onthegoallinewhereitmeetsthepenaltyareaboundaryline

• Aneligibleplayermaychangeplaceswiththegoalkeeper• Thekickiscompletedwhentheballstopsmoving,goesoutofplayortherefereestopsplayforanyinfringementoftheLaws

• TherefereekeepsarecordofthekicksSubjecttotheconditionsexplainedbelow,bothteamstakefivekicks• Thekicksaretakenalternatelybytheteams• If,beforebothteamshavetakenfivekicks,onehasscoredmoregoalsthantheothercouldscore,evenifitweretocompleteitsfivekicks,nomorekicksaretaken

• If,afterbothteamshavetakenfivekicks,thescoresarelevelkickscontinueuntiloneteamhasscoredagoalmorethantheotherfromthesamenumberofkicks

• Eachkickistakenbyadifferentplayerandalleligibleplayersmusttakeakickbeforeanyplayercantakeasecondkick

• Theaboveprinciplecontinuesforanysubsequentsequenceofkicksbutateammaychangetheorderofkickers

• Kicksfromthepenaltymarkmustnotbedelayedforaplayerwholeavesthefieldofplay.Theplayer’skickwillbeforfeited(notscored)iftheplayerdoesnotreturnintimetotakeakick

Substitutionsandsendoffsduringkicksfromthepenaltymark• Aplayer,substituteorsubstitutedplayermaybecautionedorsentoff• Agoalkeeperwhoissentoffmustbereplacedbyaneligibleplayer• A player other than the goalkeeper who is unable to continue may not bereplaced

• The refereemust not abandon thematch if a team is reduced to fewer thansevenplayers

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LAW11–OFFSIDE1. Offsideposition

Itisnotanoffencetobeinanoffsideposition.Aplayerisinanoffsidepositionif:• anypartofthehead,bodyorfeetisintheopponents’half(excludingthehalfwayline)and

• anypartofthehead,bodyorfeetisnearertotheopponents’goallinethanboththeballandthesecond-lastopponent

Thehandsandarmsofallplayers,includingthegoalkeepers,arenotconsidered.Aplayerisnotinanoffsidepositioniflevelwiththe:• second-lastopponentor• lasttwoopponents2. Offsideoffence

Aplayerinanoffsidepositionatthemomenttheball isplayedortouchedbyateam-mateisonlypenalisedonbecominginvolvedinactiveplayby:• interferingwithplaybyplayingortouchingaballpassedortouchedbyateam-mateor

• interferingwithanopponentby:• preventinganopponentfromplayingorbeingabletoplaytheballbyclearly

obstructingtheopponent’slineofvisionor• challenginganopponentfortheballor• clearly attempting to play a ball which is close to himwhen this action

impactsonanopponentor• making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an

opponenttoplaytheballor• gaininganadvantagebyplayingtheballorinterferingwithanopponentwhenithas:• reboundedorbeendeflectedoffthegoalpost,crossbaroranopponent• beendeliberatelysavedbyanyopponent


If an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kickwhere theoffenceoccurred,includingifitisintheplayer’sownhalfofthefieldofplay.Adefendingplayerwholeavesthefieldofplaywithoutthereferee’spermissionshallbeconsideredtobeonthegoallineortouchlineforthepurposesofoffsideuntilthenextstoppageinplayoruntilthedefendingteamhasplayedtheballtowardsthehalfwaylineanditisoutsidetheirpenaltyarea.Iftheplayerleftthefieldofplaydeliberately,theplayermustbecautionedwhentheballisnextoutofplay.

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Anattackingplayermaysteporstayoffthefieldofplaynottobeinvolvedinactiveplay.Iftheplayerre-entersfromthegoallineandbecomesinvolvedinplaybeforethenextstoppageinplay,orthedefendingteamhasplayedtheballtowardsthehalfwaylineanditisoutsidetheirpenaltyarea,theplayershallbeconsideredtobepositionedonthegoallineforthepurposesofoffside.Aplayerwhodeliberatelyleavesthefieldofplayandre-enterswithoutthereferee’spermissionandisnotpenalisedforoffsideandgainsanadvantagemustbecautioned.Ifanattackingplayerremainsstationarybetweenthegoalpostsandinsidethegoalastheballentersthegoal,agoalmustbeawardedunlesstheplayercommitsanoffsideoffenceorLaw12offenceinwhichcaseplayisrestartedwithanindirectordirectfreekick.LAW12–FOULSANDMISCONDUCTDirectandindirectfreekicksandpenaltykickscanonlybeawardedforoffencesandinfringementscommittedwhentheballisinplay.1. Directfreekick

Adirect free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offencesagainstanopponentinamannerconsideredbytherefereetobecareless,recklessorusingexcessiveforce:• charges• jumpsat• kicksorattemptstokick• pushes• strikesorattemptstostrike(includinghead-butt)• tacklesorchallenges• tripsorattemptstotripIfanoffenceinvolvescontactitispenalisedbyadirectfreekickorpenaltykick.• Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration whenmaking a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction isneeded

• Recklessiswhenaplayeractswithdisregardtothedangerto,orconsequencesfor,anopponentandmustbecautioned

• Usingexcessiveforceiswhenaplayerexceedsthenecessaryuseofforceandendangersthesafetyofanopponentandmustbesentoff

Adirectfreekickisawardedifaplayercommitsanyofthefollowingoffences:• handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeperwithin their penaltyarea)

• holdsanopponent• impedesanopponentwithcontact• spitsatanopponentSeealsooffencesinLaw3

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2. Indirectfreekick

Anindirectfreekickisawardedifaplayer:• playsinadangerousmanner• impedestheprogressofanopponentwithoutanycontactbeingmade• prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands or kicks orattemptstokicktheballwhenthegoalkeeperisintheprocessofreleasingit

• commitsanyotheroffence,notmentionedintheLaws,forwhichplayisstoppedtocautionorsendoffaplayer

3. Disciplinaryaction

Therefereehastheauthoritytotakedisciplinaryactionfromenteringthefieldofplayforthepre-matchinspectionuntilleavingthefieldofplayafterthematchends(includingkicksfromthepenaltymark).If,beforeenteringthefieldofplayatthestartof thematch,aplayercommitsasending-offoffence,therefereehastheauthoritytopreventtheplayertakingpartinthematch(seeLaw3.6);therefereewillreportanyothermisconduct.Aplayerwhocommitsacautionableorsending-offoffence,eitheronoroffthefieldofplay,againstanopponent,ateam-mate,amatchofficialoranyotherpersonortheLawsoftheGame,isdisciplinedaccordingtotheoffence.The yellow card communicates a caution and the red card communicates asending-off.Onlyaplayer, substituteorsubstitutedplayermaybeshowntheredoryellowcard.Advantage

Iftherefereeplaystheadvantageforanoffenceforwhichacaution/sendoffwouldhave been issued had play been stopped, this caution/send offmust be issuedwhentheballisnextoutofplay,exceptwhenthedenialofanobviousgoal-scoringopportunityresultsinagoaltheplayeriscautionedforunsportingbehaviour.Advantageshouldnotbeappliedinsituationsinvolvingseriousfoulplay,violentconductorasecondcautionableoffenceunlessthereisaclearopportunitytoscoreagoal.Therefereemustsendofftheplayerwhentheballisnextoutofplaybutiftheplayerplaystheballorchallenges/interfereswithanopponent,therefereewillstopplay,sendofftheplayerandrestartwithanindirectfreekick.If a defender starts holding an attacker outside thepenalty area and continuesholdinghiminsidethepenaltyarea,therefereemustawardapenaltykick.

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Cautionsforunsportingbehaviour

Therearedifferentcircumstanceswhenaplayermustbecautionedforunsportingbehaviourincludingifaplayer:• attemptstodeceivetherefereee.g.byfeigninginjuryorpretendingtohavebeenfouled(simulation)

• changes places with the goalkeeper during play or without the referee’spermission

•commitsinarecklessmanneradirectfreekickoffence• commitsafoulorhandlestheballtointerferewithorstopapromisingattack• handles theball inanattempt toscoreagoal (whetherornot theattempt issuccessful)orinanunsuccessfulattempttopreventagoal

• makesunauthorisedmarksonthefieldofplay• playstheballwhenleavingthefieldofplayafterbeinggivenpermissiontoleave• showsalackofrespectforthegame• uses a deliberate trick to pass the ball (including from a free kick) to thegoalkeeperwiththehead,chest,kneeetc.tocircumventtheLaw,whetherornotthegoalkeepertouchestheballwiththehands

• verballydistractsanopponentduringplayoratarestartSending-offoffences

A player, substitute or substituted player who commits any of the followingoffencesissentoff:• denying theopposing teamagoaloranobviousgoal-scoringopportunitybydeliberatelyhandlingtheball(exceptagoalkeeperwithintheirpenaltyarea)

• denyinganobviousgoal-scoringopportunitytoanopponentmovingtowardstheopponents’goalbyanoffencepunishablebyafreekick(unlessasoutlinedbelow)

• seriousfoulplay• spittingatanopponentoranyotherperson• violentconduct• usingoffensive,insultingorabusivelanguageand/orgestures• receivingasecondcautioninthesamematchAplayer, substituteor substitutedplayerwhohasbeensentoffmust leave thevicinityofthefieldofplayandthetechnicalarea.Denyingagoaloranobviousgoal-scoringopportunity

Where a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoringopportunitybyadeliberatehandballoffencetheplayerissentoffwherevertheoffenceoccurs.Whereaplayercommitsanoffenceagainstanopponentwithintheirownpenaltyarea which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and therefereeawardsapenaltykick,theoffendingplayeriscautionedunless:

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• theoffenceisholding,pullingorpushingor• theoffendingplayerdoesnotattempttoplaytheballorthereisnopossibility

fortheplayermakingthechallengetoplaytheballor• theoffenceisonewhichispunishablebyaredcardwhereveritoccursonthe

fieldofplay(e.g.seriousfoulplay,violentconductetc.)

Inalltheabovecircumstancestheplayerissentoff.Thefollowingmustbeconsidered:• distancebetweentheoffenceandthegoal• generaldirectionoftheplay• likelihoodofkeepingorgainingcontroloftheball• locationandnumberofdefendersSeriousfoulplay

Atackleorchallengethatendangersthesafetyofanopponentorusesexcessiveforceorbrutalitymustbesanctionedasseriousfoulplay.Anyplayerwholungesatanopponentinchallengingfortheballfromthefront,from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force orendangersthesafetyofanopponentisguiltyofseriousfoulplay.Violentconduct

Violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force orbrutalityagainstanopponentwhennotchallengingfortheball,oragainstateam-mate, team official,match official, spectator or any other person, regardless ofwhethercontactismade.Inaddition,aplayerwho,whennotchallengingfortheball,deliberatelystrikesanopponentoranyotherpersonontheheadorfacewiththehandorarm,isguiltyofviolentconductunlesstheforceusedwasnegligible.4. Restartofplayafterfoulsandmisconduct

• Iftheballisoutofplay,playisrestartedaccordingtothepreviousdecision

• If theball is inplay andaplayer commits anoffence inside the fieldofplayagainst:• anopponent-indirectordirectfreekickorpenaltykick• ateam-matesubstitute,substitutedplayer,teamofficialoramatchofficial

-adirectfreekickorpenaltykickotherperson-adroppedball• distancebetweentheoffenceandthegoal• anyotherperson-adroppedball

• Iftheballisinplayandaplayercommitsanoffenceoutsidethefieldofplay:

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• iftheplayerisalreadyoffthefieldofplay,playisrestartedwithadroppedball

• iftheplayerleavesthefieldofplaytocommittheoffence,playisrestartedwith an indirect free kick from the position of the ball when play wasstopped. However, ifaplayer leavesthe fieldofplayaspartofplayandcommitsanoffenceagainstanotherplayer,playisrestartedwithafreekicktakenontheboundarylinenearesttowheretheoffenceoccurred;fordirectfreekickoffencesapenaltykickisawardedifthisiswithintheoffender’spenaltyarea

LAW13–FREEKICKS1. Typesoffreekick

Directandindirectfreekicksareawardedtotheopposingteamofaplayerguiltyofanoffenceorinfringement.IndirectfreekicksignalTherefereeindicatesanindirectfreekickbyraisingthearmabovethehead;thissignal ismaintaineduntil thekickhasbeen takenand theball touchesanotherplayerorgoesoutofplay.Anindirectfreekickmustberetakeniftherefereefailstosignalthatthekickisindirectandtheballiskickeddirectlyintothegoal.Ballentersthegoal• ifadirectfreekickiskickeddirectlyintotheopponents’goal,agoalisawarded• ifanindirectfreekickiskickeddirectlyintotheopponents’goal,agoalkickisawarded

• if a direct or indirect free kick is kickeddirectly into the team’s own goal, acornerkickisawarded

2. Procedure

Allfreekicksaretakenfromtheplacewheretheinfringementoccurredexcept:• indirectfreekickstotheattackingteamforanoffenceinsidetheopponents’goalareaaretakenfromthenearestpointonthegoalarealinewhichrunsparalleltothegoalline

• freekickstothedefendingteamintheirgoalareamaybetakenfromanywhereinthatarea

• freekicks foroffences involvingaplayerentering, re-enteringor leaving thefieldofplaywithoutpermissionaretakenfromthepositionoftheballwhenplaywasstopped.However,ifaplayerleavesthefieldofplayaspartofplayandcommitsanoffenceagainst anotherplayer,play is restartedwitha freekicktakenontheboundarylinenearesttowheretheoffenceoccurred;fordirectfreekickoffencesapenaltykickisawardedifthisiswithintheoffender’spenaltyarea

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• theLawdesignatesanotherposition(seeLaws3,11,12)Theball:• must be stationary and the kickermust not touch the ball again until it hastouchedanotherplayer

• is in play when it is kicked and clearlymoves except for a free kick to thedefendingteamintheirpenaltyareawheretheballisinplaywhenitiskickeddirectlyoutofthepenaltyarea


If,whena freekick is taken,anopponent isclosertotheball thantherequireddistance,thekickisretakenunlesstheadvantagecanbeapplied;butifaplayertakesafreekickquicklyandanopponentwhoislessthan9.15m(10yds)fromtheballinterceptsit,therefereeallowsplaytocontinue.However,anopponentwhodeliberatelypreventsafreekickbeingtakenmustbecautionedfordelayingtherestartofplay.LAW14–THEPENALTYKICKApenaltykickisawardedifaplayercommitsadirectfreekickoffenceinsidetheirpenaltyareaoroffthefieldaspartofplayasoutlinedinLaws12and13.Agoalmaybescoreddirectlyfromapenaltykick.1. Procedure

Theballmustbestationaryonthepenaltymark. Theplayertakingthepenaltykickmustbeproperlyidentified.The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, between thegoalpostsuntiltheballhasbeenkicked.Theplayersotherthanthekickerandgoalkeepermustbe:• atleast9.15m(10yds)fromthepenaltymark• behindthepenaltymark• insidethefieldofplay• outsidethepenaltyareaAfter theplayershave takenpositions inaccordancewith thisLaw, the refereesignalsforthepenaltykicktobetaken.The player taking the penalty kick must kick the ball forward; backheeling ispermittedprovidedtheballmovesforward.Theballisinplaywhenitiskickedandclearlymoves.Thekickermustnotplaytheballagainuntilithastouchedanotherplayer.

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Thepenaltykickiscompletedwhentheballstopsmoving,goesoutofplayortherefereestopsplayforanyinfringementoftheLaws.Additionaltimeisallowedforapenaltykicktobetakenandcompletedattheendofeachhalfofthematchorextratime.2. Infringementsandsanctions

Oncetherefereehassignalledforapenaltykicktobetaken,thekickmustbetaken.If,beforetheballisinplay,oneofthefollowingoccurs:theplayertakingthepenaltykickorateam-mateinfringestheLawsoftheGame:• iftheballentersthegoal,thekickisretaken• iftheballdoesnotenterthegoal,therefereestopsplayandrestartswithanindirectfreekick

exceptforthefollowingwhenplaywillbestoppedandrestartedwithanindirectfreekick,regardlessofwhetherornotagoalisscored:•apenaltykickiskickedbackwards:• a team-mate of the identified kicker takes the kick; the referee cautions theplayerwhotookthekick

•feintingtokicktheballoncethekickerhascompletedtherun-up(feintingintherun-upispermitted);therefereecautionsthekicker

thegoalkeeperorateam-mateinfringestheLawsoftheGame:• iftheballentersthegoal,agoalisawarded• iftheballdoesnotenterthegoal,thekickisretaken;thegoalkeeperiscautionedifresponsiblefortheinfringement

aplayerofbothteamsinfringestheLawsoftheGame,thekickisretakenunlessaplayercommitsamoreseriousoffence(e.g.illegalfeinting)If,afterthepenaltykickhasbeentaken:thekickertouchestheballagainbeforeithastouchedanotherplayer:• anindirectfreekick(ordirectfreekickfordeliberatehandball)isawardedtheballistouchedbyanoutsideagentasitmovesforward:• thekickisretakentheballreboundsintothefieldofplayfromthegoalkeeper, thecrossbarorthegoalpostsandisthentouchedbyanoutsideagent:• therefereestopsplay• playisrestartedwithadroppedballatthepositionwhereittouchedtheoutsideagent

3. Summarytable

Outcomeofthepenaltykick

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Goal Nogoal

Encroachmentbyattackingplayer

Penaltyisretaken

Indirectfreekick

Encroachmentbydefendingplayer

Goal

Penaltyisretaken

Offencebygoalkeeper

Goal

Penaltyisretakenandcautionforgoalkeeper

Ballkickedbackwards

Indirectfreekick

Indirectfreekick

IllegalfeintingIndirectfreekickandcautionfor

kicker

Indirectfreekickandcautionfor

kicker

Wrongkicker

Indirectfreekickandcautionforwrongkicker

Indirectfreekickandcautionforwrongkicker

LAW15–THETHROW-IN

Athrow-in isawardedtotheopponentsof theplayerwho last touchedtheballwhenthewholeoftheballpassesoverthetouchline,onthegroundorintheair.Agoalcannotbescoreddirectlyfromathrow-in:• iftheballenterstheopponents’goal-agoalkickisawarded• iftheballentersthethrower’sgoal-acornerkickisawarded1. Procedure

Atthemomentofdeliveringtheball,thethrowermust:• facethefieldofplay• havepartofeachfootonthetouchlineoronthegroundoutsidethetouchline• throwtheballwithbothhandsfrombehindandovertheheadfromthepointwhereitleftthefieldofplay

Allopponentsmuststandatleast2m(2yds)fromthepointatwhichthethrow-inistaken.Theballisinplaywhenitentersthefieldofplay.Iftheballtouchesthegroundbeforeentering,thethrow-inisretakenbythesameteamfromthesameposition.Ifthethrow-inisnottakencorrectlyitisretakenbytheopposingteam.Ifaplayer,whilecorrectlytakingathrow-in, intentionallythrowstheballatanopponent inordertoplaytheballagainbutneither inacarelessnorarecklessmannernorusingexcessiveforce,therefereeallowsplaytocontinue.Thethrowermustnottouchtheballagainuntilithastouchedanotherplayer.

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If,aftertheballisinplay,thethrowertouchestheballagainbeforeithastouchedanotherplayeranindirectfreekickisawarded;ifthethrowerdeliberatelyhandlestheball:• adirectfreekickisawarded• a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the thrower’spenaltyareaunlesstheballwashandledbythedefendingteam’sgoalkeeperinwhichcaseanindirectfreekickisawarded

An opponentwhounfairly distracts or impedes the thrower (includingmovingcloserthan2m(2yds)totheplacewherethethrow-inistobetaken)iscautionedforunsportingbehaviourandifthethrow-inhasbeentakenanindirectfreekickisawarded.Foranyother infringementof thisLawthe throw-in is takenbyaplayerof theopposingteam.LAW16–THEGOALKICKAgoalkickisawardedwhenthewholeoftheballpassesoverthegoalline,onthegroundorintheair,havinglasttouchedaplayeroftheattackingteam,andagoalisnotscored.Agoalmaybescoreddirectlyfromagoalkick,butonlyagainsttheopposingteam;if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal a corner kick is awarded to theopponentsiftheballleftthepenaltyarea.1. Procedure

• Theballmustbestationaryandiskickedfromanypointwithinthegoalareabyaplayerofthedefendingteam

• Theballisinplaywhenitleavesthepenaltyarea• Opponentsmustbeoutsidethepenaltyareauntiltheballisinplay2. Infringementsandsanctions

Iftheballdoesnotleavethepenaltyareaoristouchedbyaplayerbeforeitleavesthepenaltyareathekickisretaken.If,aftertheballisinplay,thekickertouchestheballagainbeforeithastouchedanotherplayeranindirectfreekickisawarded;ifthekickerdeliberatelyhandlestheball:• adirectfreekickisawarded• a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker’spenaltyareaunlessthekickerwasthegoalkeeperinwhichcaseanindirectfreekickisawarded

Ifanopponentwhoisinthepenaltyareawhenthegoalkickistakentouchesorchallengesfortheballbeforeithastouchedanotherplayer,thegoalkickisretaken.

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Ifaplayerentersthepenaltyareabeforetheballisinplayandfoulsorisfouledbyanopponent,thegoalkickisretakenandtheoffendermaybecautionedorsentoffdependingontheoffence.ForanyotherinfringementofthisLawthekickisretaken.LAW17–THECORNERKICKAcornerkickisawardedwhenthewholeoftheballpassesoverthegoalline,onthegroundorintheair,havinglasttouchedaplayerofthedefendingteam,andagoalisnotscored.Agoalmaybescoreddirectlyfromacornerkick,butonlyagainsttheopposingteam;iftheballdirectlyentersthekicker’sgoalacornerkickisawardedtotheopponents.1. Procedure

• Theballmustbeplacedinthecornerarea• Theballmustbestationaryandiskickedbyaplayeroftheattackingteam• Theballisinplaywhenitiskickedandclearlymoves;itdoesnotneedtoleavethecornerarea

• Thecornerflagpostmustnotbemoved• Opponentsmustremainatleast9.15m(10yds)fromthecornerarcuntiltheballisinplay


If,aftertheballisinplay,thekickertouchestheballagainbeforeithastouchedanotherplayeranindirectfreekickisawarded;ifthekickerdeliberatelyhandlestheball:• adirectfreekickisawarded• a penalty kick is awarded if the infringement occurred inside the kicker’spenaltyareaunlessthekickerwasthegoalkeeperinwhichcaseanindirectfreekickisawarded

Ifaplayer,whilecorrectlytakingacornerkick,intentionallykickstheballatanopponentinordertoplaytheballagainbutnotinacarelessorrecklessmannerorusingexcessiveforce,therefereeallowsplaytocontinue.ForanyotherinfringementofthisLawthekickisretaken.

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LAWCHANGES2016/17OutlinesummaryofLawchangesHerewithasimpleoutlineofthemainchanges/clarifications.LAW1–THEFIELDOFPLAY• Artificialandnaturalsurfacesmaynotbecombinedonthefield• Competitionsmaydeterminefieldsizefortheircompetitions(withinLaw)• Allcommercialadvertisingonthegroundmustbeatleast1m(1yd)fromboundary

lines• Logos/emblemsofFAs,competitionsetc.allowedoncornerflags(noadvertising)LAW2–THEBALLNoneLAW3–THEPLAYERS(NEWTITLE)• Amatchmaynotstart/continueifateamhasfewerthan7players• Substitutesmaytakearestartbutmustfirststepontothefield• Clarifiessituationwhenaplayerissentoffbefore/afterkick-off• DirectFK(orpenalty)ifasubstitute/teamofficialinterfereswithplay• Ifsomething/someone(otherthanaplayer)touchesaballasitgoesintothegoal

therefereecanawardthegoalifthetouchhadnoimpactonthedefenders• Ifagoalisscoredwithanextrapersononthefieldandrefereehasrestartedplaythe

goalstandsandmatchcontinuesLAW4–THEPLAYERS’EQUIPMENT• Anytapeorothermaterialon/coveringsocksmustbesamecolourasthesock• Playerlosingfootwear/shinguardaccidentallycanplayonuntilnextstoppage• Undershortsmustbecolourofshortsorhem;teammustallwearsamecolour• Electroniccommunicationwithsubstitutesisforbidden• Playercanreturnduringplayafterchanging/correctingequipment,onceequipment

hasbeenchecked(byreferee,fourthofficialorAR)andrefereesignals

LAW5–THEREFEREE• Decisioncannotbechangedifplayrestartedorrefereehasleftthefieldofplay• Ifseveraloffencesoccuratthesametimethemostseriousispunished• Refereecansendaplayerofffrompre-matchpitchinspectiononwards• RefereecanonlyuseRC+YCafterenteringthefieldatstartofthematch• PlayerinjuredbyRC/YCfoulcanbequicklyassessed/treatedandstayonfield• Theequipmentarefereecanormaybeallowedtouse• Diagramsofrefereesignalsincluded(fromGuidelinessection)LAW6–THEOTHERMATCHOFFICIALS(NEWTITLE)• Moredetailsaboutthedutiesoftheassistants,AARs,fourthofficial• Diagramsofassistantrefereesignalsincluded(fromGuidelinessection)LAW7–THEDURATIONOFTHEMATCH• Morereasonsforadditionaltime(e.g.medicaldrinksbreaks)

LAW8–THESTARTANDRESTARTOFPLAY• Allrestartsincluded(previouslyonlykick-offanddroppedball)

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• Ballmustclearlymovetobeinplayforallkickedrestarts• Ballcanbekickedinanydirectionatkick-off(previouslyhadtogoforward)• Refereecannot‘manufacture’outcomeofadroppedballLAW9–THEBALLINANDOUTOFPLAY• Ifaballreboundsoffamatchofficialitisinplayunlessitwhollypassedovera

boundarylineLAW10–DETERMININGTHEOUTCOMEOFAMATCH(NEWTITLE)Kicksfromthepenaltymark:

• Refereewilltossacointochoosethegoal(unlessweather,safetyetc…)• Playertemporarilyoffthefield(e.g.injured)atfinalwhistlecantakepart• Bothteamsmusthavesamenumberofplayersbeforeandduringthekicks• Clearstatementofwhenakickisover• Kicksnotdelayedifplayerleavesthefield;ifnotbackintimekickisforfeited

LAW11–OFFSIDE• Halfwayline‘neutral’foroffside;playermustbeinopponents’half• Players’armsnotconsideredwhenjudgingoffsideposition(includinggoalkeeper)• OffsideFKalwaystakenwhereoffenceoccurs(eveninownhalf)• Defenderoffthefieldonly‘active’untildefendingteamclearballorplaystops• Asaboveforattackerreturning;beforethatre-entrypointistheoffsidepositionLAW12–FOULSANDMISCONDUCT• FoulwithcontactisadirectFK• AdvantageforaRC–indirectFKifoffenderthengetsinvolvedinplay• ChangeofwordingforhandballsothatnoteveryhandballisaYC• SomeDOGSOoffencesinthepenaltyareaarepunishedwithaYC• AttemptedviolentconductisaRC,evenifnocontact• Strikingonhead/facewhennotchallenginganopponentisaRC(unlessnegligible)• Offenceagainstsubstitutes,teamofficials,matchofficialsetc.isnowadirectFK• FouloffthefieldpenalisedwithadirectFKonboundaryline(penaltyinown

penaltyarea)LAW13–FREEKICKS• Differencebetween‘stopping’aFKand‘intercepting’theballafterFKtakenLAW14–THEPENALTYKICK• IndirectFK+YCifwrongplayerdeliberatelytakesthepenalty• IndirectFKifballkickedbackwards• If‘illegal’feintingoccursitisalwaysanindirectFK(andYC)• GoalkeeperYCifinfringesandthePKisretakenLAW15–THETHROW-IN• NewwordingmakesitclearthatballmustbethrownwithbothhandsLAW16–THEGOALKICK• IfGKkickedintoowngoalitisacornerkicktoopponents• Anopponentinthepenaltyareawhenthegoalkickistakencannotplaytheball

firstLAW17–THECORNERKICK• IfCKkickedintoowngoalitisacornerkicktoopponents

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DetailsofallLawChanges(inLaworder)ThefollowingarethemainchangestotheLawsoftheGamewhicharenotrelatedtoEnglish/phraseology.Foreachchangetheoldwording(whereappropriate)andthenew/changed/additionalwordingaregivenfollowedbyanexplanationforthechange.Thetextshowninthe ‘oldtext’boxesmaybetheexactprevioustextoramoregeneraloutlineofthemeaningoftheprevioustext.LAW1–THEFIELDOFPLAY1.1 –ArtificialandnaturalsurfacesmaynotbecombinedOldtextMatchesmaybeplayedonnaturalorartificialsurfaces,accordingtocompetitionrules.NewtextThefieldofplaymustbeawhollynaturalorifcompetitionrulespermit,awhollyartificialplaying surface, except where competition rules permit an integrated combination ofartificialandnaturalmaterials(hybridsystem).ExplanationClarifies that for safety reasons mixing natural and artificial surfaces is notpermittedonthefieldofplay.Adifferentsurfaceispermittedonthesurroundingarease.g.artificialturffortheassistantreferees’patrolarea.Anintegratedmixofnaturalandartificialmaterialispermitted.1.2-Competitionsmaydeterminelengthofboundarylines(withinLaw1parameters)AdditionaltextCompetitionsmay determine the length of the goal line and touchlinewithin theabovedimensions.ExplanationClarifies that competitions have the authority to determine the length of thetouchlinesandgoallinesfortheirmatcheswithinthedimensionsofLaw1.1.3-ThetechnicalareaTechnicalAreainformationmovedfromendofLawssection1.4-GoalLineTechnology(GLT)GLTinformationmovedfromLaw101.5–CommercialadvertisingonthegroundOldtextNo formofcommercialadvertising,whetherrealorvirtual, ispermittedon thefield of play, on the ground within the area enclosed by the goal nets or thetechnicalarea,orwithin1m(1yd)ofthetouchlinefromthetimetheteamsenterthefieldofplay….

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NewtextNo formofcommercialadvertising,whetherrealorvirtual, ispermittedon thefield of play, on the ground within the area enclosed by the goal nets or thetechnicalarea,oronthegroundwithin1m(1yd)oftheboundarylinesfromthetimetheteamsenterthefieldofplay(…)ExplanationClarifiesthatrestrictionsoncommercialadvertisingonthegroundrelatetotheareabehindthegoallinesaswellasthetouchlines.1.6-LogosandemblemsoncornerflagsOldtextThereproduction,whetherrealorvirtual,ofrepresentativelogosoremblemsofFIFA, confederations, member associations, leagues, clubs or other bodies isforbiddenonthefieldofplay,thegoalnetsandtheareastheyenclose,thegoals,theflagpostsandtheirflagsduringplayingtime.NewtextThereproduction,whetherrealorvirtual,ofrepresentativelogosoremblemsofFIFA, confederations,national football associations,competitions, clubsorotherbodiesisforbiddenonthefieldofplay,thegoalnetsandtheareastheyenclose,thegoals,andtheflagpostsduringplayingtime.Theyarepermittedontheflagsontheflagposts.Explanation• Nationalfootballassociationsreplacesmemberassociations• Competitions replaces leagues ascupcompetitionsarenotcoveredby thecurrentwording.

• TheselogosarealreadywidelyusedandallowingthemontheflagsisconsistentwithLaw2whichpermitsthemontheball.

LAW2–THEBALLNoneLAW3–THEPLAYERS3.1–TitlechangeOldtitleTheNumberofPlayers

NewtitleThePlayers

ExplanationNewtitlereflectsthatthecontentincludesreferencetosubstitutesetc.3.2–MinimumnumberofplayersOldtextAmatchmaynotstartifeitherteamconsistsoffewerthansevenplayers.(…)althoughamatchmaynotSTARTifeitherteamconsistsoffewerthansevenplayers, the minimum number of players in a team required for a match to

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CONTINUE is left to the discretion of member associations. However, it is theopinionoftheInternationalF.A.Boardthatamatchshouldnotcontinueiftherearefewerthansevenplayersineitherteam.NewtextAmatchmaynotstartorcontinueifeitherteamhasfewerthansevenplayers.ExplanationThe IFAB recommendation of the minimum number of players for a match tocontinuebecomesLaw.Thisisconsistentwiththeminimumtostartthematch.3.3–RestartsbysubstitutesOldtextAsubstitutewhohasnotcompletedthesubstitutionprocedurebyenteringthefieldofplaycannotrestartplaybytakingathrow-inorcornerkickNewtextSubstitutescantakeanyrestartprovidedtheyfirstenterthefieldofplay.ExplanationClarifiesthatasubstitutewhostepsontothefieldofplaycanthentakeanyrestart,includingacornerkickorthrow-in;somewronglyinterpretthe‘old’wordingasrequiringplaytoberestartedbeforeasubstitutecantakearestart3.4–NamedsubstitutestartsinsteadofnamedplayerOldtextIfanamedsubstituteentersthefieldofplayinsteadofanamedplayeratthestartofthematchandtherefereeisnotinformedofthischange: • therefereeallowsthenamedsubstitutetocontinuethematch(…)NewtextIfanamedsubstitutestartsamatchinsteadofanamedplayerandtherefereeisnotinformedofthischange:• therefereeallowsthenamedsubstitutetocontinuethematch(…)ExplanationClarifiesthatifanamedplayeris‘replaced’byasubstitutebeforethematch,theplayercanbeasubstituteonarrival.Itismorelogicalthatthistakeseffectwhenthematchkicksoffratherthanwhenthesubstituteentersthefield.3.5-Extrapersonsonthefieldofplay–statusofsentoffplayerOldtextAnyonenot indicatedon the team list as a player, substitute or teamofficial isdeemedtobeanoutsideagent,asisaplayerwhohasbeensentoff.NewtextAnyonenotnamedontheteamlistasaplayer,substituteorteamofficialisdeemedtobeanoutsideagent.

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ExplanationIt ismorelogicaltotreatasentoffplayerlikeasubstitutesothataplayerwhoreturnstothefield(havingbeensentoff)ispenalisedwithafreekick.3.6–InfringementsbysubstitutesandteamofficialsOldtextIfasubstituteorsubstitutedplayerentersthefieldofplaywithoutthereferee’spermission:• iftherefereehasstoppedplay,itisrestartedwithanindirectfreekick….Ifateamofficialentersthefieldofplay:• iftherefereestopsthematch,hemustrestartplaywithadroppedball…..NewtextIfplayisstoppedandtheinterferencewasby:

• ateamofficial,substituteorsubstitutedplayerplayrestartswithadirectfreekickorpenaltykick

ExplanationThere is a growing problem of substitutes/team officials entering the field tointerferewithplayoranopponente.g.stoppingagoal.Thisisclearly‘unfair’andadirectfreekick(orpenaltykickifinownpenaltyarea)ismoreappropriate.3.7–Playerwhoissentoffbeforeorafterkick-offAdditionaltextAplayerwhoissentoff:• beforesubmissionoftheteamlistcannotbenamedontheteamlistinany

capacity• afterbeingnamedontheteamlistandbeforekick-offmaybereplacedbya

namedsubstitute(whocannotbereplaced)• afterthekick-offcannotbereplaced

ExplanationClarifieswhetherasentoffplayercanbereplaced.3.8–Impactofsubstitute/teamofficial/outsideagenttouchingaballwhich

isgoingintothegoalOldtextInthesituationsoutlinedin3.6abovetherefereemuststopplayifthe‘intruder’interfereswithplayortouchestheballIfanoutsideagententersthefieldofplay:• therefereemuststopplay(althoughnotimmediatelyiftheoutsideagentdoesnotinterferewithplay)

NewtextIf a ball is going into the goal and the interferencedoes not prevent a defendingplayerplayingtheball,thegoalisawardediftheballentersthegoal(evenifcontactwasmadewiththeball)unlesstheballenterstheopponents’goal.

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ExplanationThis‘fairplay’changemeansthatifanattempttostopagoalisunsuccessfultherefereecanawardthegoal(See3.9)3.9-GoalscoredwithanextrapersononthefieldofplayOldtextIf,afteragoalisscored,therefereerealises,beforeplayrestarts,thattherewasanextrapersononthefieldofplaywhenthegoalwasscored:• therefereemustdisallowthegoalif:

• theextrapersonwasanoutsideagentandheinterferedwithplay• theextrapersonwasaplayer,substitute,substitutedplayerorteamofficial

associatedwiththeteamthatscoredthegoalNewtextIf,afteragoalisscored,therefereerealises,beforeplayrestarts,thattherewasanextraperson(s)onthefieldofplaywhenthegoalwasscored:• therefereemustdisallowthegoaliftheextrapersonwas:

• aplayer,substitute,substitutedplayer,sentoffplayerorteamofficialoftheteamthatscoredthegoal

• anoutsideagentwhointerferedwithplayunlessagoalresultsasoutlinedabovein‘extrapersonsonthefieldofplay’

PlayisrestartedwithagoalkickoracornerkickIf,afteragoalisscoredandplayhasrestarted,therefereerealisesanextrapersonwasonthefieldofplaywhenthegoalwasscored,thegoalcannotbedisallowed.Iftheextrapersonisstillonthefieldtherefereemust:• stopplay• havetheextrapersonremoved• restartwithadroppedballorindirectfreekickasappropriateTherefereemustreporttheincidenttotheappropriateauthorities.Explanation• Incorporatesprincipleoutlinedin3.8(above)• Clarifieshowtorestartifagoalisscoredwhenthereisanextrapersononthefieldandplayhasnotrestarted.

• Clarifiesthatifagoalwasscoredwhentherewasanextrapersononthefieldandplayhasrestartedtherefereehastoallowthegametocontinueandcannotdisallowthegoalor‘nullify’theperiodbetweenthegoalandthediscoveryoftheextraperson.

3.10–Referencetoteamcaptain(fromLaw12)AdditionaltextTheteamcaptainhasnospecialstatusorprivilegesbuthasadegreeofresponsibilityforthebehaviouroftheteam.ExplanationMorelogicaltohavethisstatementinLaw3ratherthanLaw12

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LAW4–THEPLAYERS’EQUIPMENT4.1–Tape/materialon/coveringsocksOldtextThecompulsoryequipmentofaplayercomprisesthefollowing……• stockings–iftapeorsimilarmaterialisappliedexternallyitmustbethesamecolourasthatpartofthestockingitisappliedto

Newtext• socks–tapeoranymaterialappliedorwornexternallymustbethesamecolourasthatpartofthesockitisappliedtoorcovers

ExplanationClarifiesthatnon-tapematerialmustbethesamecolourasthesockitcoversassomeplayerswearanklesocks(orsimilar)whichareadifferentincolourtothesock.4.2-LossoffootwearandshinguardOldtextIfaplayerloseshisfootwearaccidentallyandimmediatelyplaystheballand/orscoresagoal,……….thegoalisawarded.NewtextAplayerwhosefootwearorshinguardisaccidentallylostmustreplaceitassoonaspossibleandnolaterthanwhentheballnextgoesoutofplay;ifbeforedoingso,theplayerplaystheballand/orscoresagoal,thegoalisawarded.ExplanationIt isclearertospecifythat footwearmustbereplacedquicklyandnolaterthanwhentheballnextgoesoutofplay.Itislogicaltoapplytheprincipletoshinguards.4.3–ColourofundergarmentsOldtextThebasiccompulsoryequipmentofaplayercomprisesthefollowingseparateitems:• ajerseyorshirtwithsleeves–ifundergarmentsareworn,thecolourofthesleevemustbethesamemaincolourasthesleeveofthejerseyorshirt

• shorts–ifundershortsortightsareworn,theymustbeofthesamemaincolourastheshorts

NewtextThecompulsoryequipmentofaplayercomprisesthefollowingseparateitems:• ashirtwithsleeves• shortsUndershirts must be the same colour as the main colour of the shirt sleeve;undershorts/tightsmustbethesamecolourasthemaincolouroftheshortsorthelowestpartoftheshorts-playersofthesameteammustwearthesamecolour.Explanation• Undershirtsreplacesundergarments.

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• Manufacturersnowmake shortswithadifferent coloured lowerpart (hem).Lawchangeallowstheundershorts/tightstobethesamecolourastheshortsorthe‘hem’buttheteammustallwearthesamecolour.

4.4-CapsOldtextNon-dangerousprotectiveequipment……ispermittedasaresportsspectacles.NewtextNon-dangerousprotectiveequipment……ispermittedasaregoalkeepers’capsandsportsspectacles.ExplanationReferencetogoalkeepers’capsincludedsotheiruseispermittedwithintheLaws.4.5–Electroniccommunicationwithplayers(includingsubstitutes)OldtextTheuseofanyformofelectroniccommunicationsystemsbetweenplayersand/ortechnicalstaffisnotpermitted.NewtextThe use of any form of electronic communication between players (includingsubstitutes/substitutedandsentoffplayers)and/ortechnicalstaffisnotpermitted.ExplanationClarifiesthatelectroniccommunicationwithsubstitutesisnotpermitted4.6–Playerreturningafterchanging/correctingequipmentOldtextIntheeventofanyinfringementofthisLaw…….:• anyplayerrequiredtoleavethefieldofplaytocorrecthisequipmentmustnotre-enterwithoutthereferee’spermission

• therefereechecksthattheplayer’sequipmentiscorrectbeforeallowinghimtore-enterthefieldofplay

• theplayerisonlyallowedtore-enterthefieldofplaywhentheballisoutofplay

NewtextAplayerwholeavesthefieldofplaytocorrectorchangeequipmentmust:• havetheequipmentcheckedbyamatchofficialbeforebeingallowedtore-enter• onlyre-enterwiththereferee’spermission(whichmaybegivenduringplay)ExplanationLawwasunclearaboutwhetheraplayerwhochoosestoleavethefieldofplay(e.g.to change boots) can return during play. New wording allows the fourthofficial/assistantrefereetochecktheequipmentand,regardlessofthereasonforleavingthefield,theplayeristreatedthesameasifreturningafteraninjury.Thisisbetterforthegameandreducesconflict/irritation.LAW5–THEREFEREE5.1-Decisionsofthereferee-opinionanddiscretionAdditionaltext

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Decisionswillbemadetothebestofthereferee’sabilityaccordingtotheLawsoftheGameandthe‘spiritofthegame’andwillbebasedontheopinionoftherefereewhohasthediscretiontotakeappropriateactionwithintheframeworkoftheLawsoftheGame.ExplanationThroughouttheLawsthereisreferenceto‘intheopinionofthereferee’and‘atthediscretionofthereferee’sothisstatementremovestheneedtouse‘intheopinionof/at the discretion of’ regularly. The concept of the ‘spirit of the game’ nowappearsintheLaws.5.2-Decisionsofthereferee–whendecisionscannotbechangedOldtextTherefereemayonlychangeadecisiononrealisingthatitisincorrector,athisdiscretion,ontheadviceofanassistantrefereeorthefourthofficial,providedthathehasnotrestartedplayorterminatedthematch.NewtextTherefereemaynotchangeadecisiononrealisingthat it is incorrectorontheadviceofanothermatchofficialifplayhasnotrestartedortherefereehassignalledthe end of the first or second half (including extra time) and left the field orterminatedthematch.ExplanationClarifiesthatoncetherefereesignalstheendofahalfandleavesthefieldadecisioncannotbechangedevenifinformationthencomestolighte.g.duringthehalf-timeinterval.5.3–SeveraloffencescommittedatthesametimeOldtext• punishes themore seriousoffencewhenaplayer (orplayers from the sameteam)commitsmorethanoneoffenceatthesametime

• Offencescommittedbyplayersfromdifferentteams:therefereemuststopplayandrestartitwithadroppedball

Newtext• punishes the more serious offence, in terms of sanction, physical severity andtacticalimpact,whenmorethanoneoffenceoccursatthesametime

ExplanationItshouldnotmatter if it isoneorseveralplayersor fromwhichteam(s)asthemostseriousoffenceshouldbepenalised.SamechangeincludedinLaw14.5.4-Authoritytotakedisciplinaryactionfrompre-matchinspectionofthe

field(see12.8)OldtextTherefereehastheauthoritytotakedisciplinarysanctionsfromthemomentheentersthefieldofplayuntilheleavesthefieldofplayafterthefinalwhistleNewtext• hastheauthoritytotakedisciplinaryactionfromenteringthefieldofplayforthe pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play after thematch ends

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(includingkicksfromthepenaltymark).If,beforeenteringthefieldofplayatthestart of thematch, a player commits a sending-off offence, the referee has theauthoritytopreventtheplayertakingpartinthematch(SeeLaw3.6);therefereewillreportanyothermisconduct.

ExplanationNewwordingidentifiesexactlywhenthereferee’sauthoritytotakeactionstarts.ThecurrentLaw12wordingrelatestowhentherewasnopre-matchwarmingup,teamsdidnotenterthefieldtogetheretc.Itislogicalthatif,forexample,2playersfightinthetunnel,orinthepre-matchwarmup,theycannotbeallowedtoplayasthiswouldriskmatchcontrolandnotbegoodfortheimageofthegame.Duringtheinspectionofthefieldofplaytherefereecanhavethemarkingschangedetc.soitislogicalthatthisiswhentheauthorityto‘sendoff’aplayerstarts.Non-sending-offoffenceswillbereportedsoYCscannotbeissuedpriortothematchorcarriedintothematch.(Seealso12.8).5.5-AuthoritytoshowredandyellowcardsOldtextTherefereehasthepowertoshowyelloworredcardsduringthehalf-timeintervalandafterthematchhasfinishedaswellasduringextratimeandkicksfromthepenaltymark,sincethematchremainsunderhisjurisdictionatthesetimes.Newtext• hasthepowertoshowyelloworredcardsfromenteringthefieldofplayatthestartofthematchuntilafterthematchhasended,includingduringthehalf-timeinterval,extratimeandkicksfromthepenaltymark

ExplanationClarifies(inlightof5.4)thattherefereemayonlyuseredandyellowcardsfromenteringthefieldatthestartofthematch.5.6 – Player may have quick on-field assessment/treatment after YC/RC

offenceOldtextThereferee(…)stopsthematchif,inhisopinion,aplayerisseriouslyinjuredandensuresthattheplayerisremovedfromthefieldofplay.Aninjuredplayermaynotbetreatedonthefieldandmayonlyreturnafterthematchhasrestarted(…)Exceptionstotherequirementtoleavethefieldareonlywhen:• agoalkeeperisinjured• agoalkeeperandanoutfieldplayerhavecollidedandneedimmediateattention

• playersfromthesameteamhavecollidedandneedimmediateattention• asevereinjuryhasoccurredAdditiontext• aplayerisinjuredastheresultofaphysicaloffenceforwhichtheopponentiscautioned or sent off (e.g. reckless or serious foul challenge), if theassessment/treatmentiscompletedquickly

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ExplanationIt iswidelyseenasunfairthataplayerwhois injuredbyaseriousfoulandthetrainer/doctorcomeson,theplayerhastoleavethefieldgivingtheoffendingteamgainsanumericalbenefit.(seePracticalGuidelines).5.7-ImpactofanoutsideagenttouchingaballwhichisgoingintothegoalOldtextanextraball,otherobjectoranimalentersthefieldofplayduringthematch,therefereemust:

- stopplayonlyifitinterfereswithplay.PlayrestartswithadroppedballNewtextanextraball,otherobjectoranimalentersthefieldofplayduringthematch,therefereemust:

- stopplay(andrestartedwithadroppedball)onlyifitinterfereswithplayunlesstheballisgoingintothegoalandiftheinterferencedoesnotpreventadefendingplayerplayingtheball,thegoalisawardediftheballentersthegoal (even if contact was made with the ball) unless the ball enters theopponents’goal.

ExplanationThismakesLaw5consistentwiththechangeinLaw3(see3.8).5.8–Referee’sequipmentAdditionaltextCompulsoryequipment• Whistle(s)• Watch(es)• Redandyellowcards• Notebook(orothermeansofkeepingarecordofthematch)OtherequipmentRefereesmaybepermittedtouse:• Equipment for communicating with othermatch officials – buzzer/beep flags,headsetsetc.(…)

• EPTSorotherfitnessmonitoringequipmentRefereesandothermatchofficialsareprohibitedfromwearingjewelleryoranyotherelectronicequipment.ExplanationMovedfromLaw4;wordingclarifieswhatequipmentamatchofficialisormaybepermittedtouse.LAW6–THEOTHERMATCHOFFICIALS6.1-TitlechangeOldtitleTheAssistantReferees

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NewtitleTheOtherMatchOfficialsExplanationThe duties of all the other match officials (assistant referees, fourth official,additionalassistant refereesandreserveassistant referee)arenow included inthisLaw.6.2-Referee’sauthorityoverothermatchofficialsAdditionaltextThematchofficialsoperateunderthedirectionofthereferee.ExplanationEmphasisesthereferee’sleadershiprole.6.3–AssistancegiventotherefereebyothermatchofficialsAdditionaltextThematchofficialsassisttherefereewithinspectingthefieldofplay,theballsandplayers’ equipment (including if problems have been resolved) and maintainingrecordsoftime,goals,misconductetc.ExplanationStatement early in the Law of the usual assistance given to the referee avoidsrepetitioninsectionsoneachmatchofficial.6.4-ProcedureifanofficialisunabletoofficiateOldtextPrior to thestartof thecompetition, theorganiserstatesclearlywhether, if thereferee is unable to continue, the fourth official takes over as the referee orwhethertheseniorassistantrefereeorsenioradditionalassistantrefereetakesoverasrefereewiththefourthofficialbecominganassistantrefereeNewtextCompetitionrulesmuststateclearlywhoreplacesamatchofficialwhoisunabletostartorcontinueandanyassociatedchanges.Inparticular,itmustbeclearwhether,iftherefereeisunabletocontinue,thefourthofficialortheseniorassistantrefereeorsenioradditionalassistantrefereetakesover.ExplanationWordingsimplifiedsoeachscenariodoesnotneedtobelisted.6.5–DutiesofthefourthofficialAdditionaltextAfourthofficial(...)assiststherefereeatalltimes:• checkingaplayer’s/substitute’sequipment(...)• indicatingtheminimumamountofadditionaltimetherefereeintendstoplayattheendofeachhalf(includingextratime)

ExplanationTasksusuallyperformedbyfourthofficialshavebeenadded.

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LAW7–THEDURATIONOFTHEMATCH7.1-AdditionaltimeAdditionaltextAllowanceismadebytherefereeineachhalfforalltimelostinthathalfthrough:• assessmentand/orremovalfromthefieldofplayofinjuredplayers(...)• stoppagesfordrinksorothermedicalreasonspermittedbycompetitionrulesExplanationThesefrequentcausesofadditionaltimehavebeenadded.Inparticular,approved‘drinksbreaks’havebeenaddedsothattheyhavevalidityintheLaws.LAW8–THESTARTANDRESTARTOFPLAY8.1–InclusionofreferencetoallrestartsAdditionaltextFreekicks(directorindirect),penaltykicks,throw-ins,goalkicksandcornerkicksareotherrestarts(seeLaws13to17).ExplanationIllogical(especiallytonon-referees)thattheLawaboutrestartsonlyincludedthekick-offanddroppedballsoreferencetootherrestartsofplayhasbeenadded.8.2-InfringementswhentheballisnotinplayAdditionaltextIfaninfringementoccurswhentheballisnotinplaythisdoesnotchangehowplayisrestarted.ExplanationClarifiesthattherestartisnotchangedforanincidentwhentheballisnotinplaye.g.holdingbeforeacornerkick;violentconductafteraFKisawardedetc…..8.3 – Kick-off: ballmust clearlymove to be in play; can be kicked in any

directionOldtext• theballisinplaywhenitiskickedandmovesforwardNewtext• theballisinplaywhenitiskickedandclearlymovesExplanationNotrequiringtheballtogoforwardatthekick-offmeansanattackerdoesnotneedtostandintheopponents’half(whichisnotpermitted)toreceivetheball.AswithotherLaws,theballmustclearlymovetostopthepracticeofaplayerjusttouchingtheballandthenunsportinglypretendingthekickhasnotbeentaken.8.4-DroppedballpositionAdditiontextTherefereedropstheballatthepositionwhereitwaswhenplaywasstopped,unlessplaywasstoppedinsidethegoalareainwhichcasetheballisdroppedonthegoal

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arealinewhichisparalleltothegoallineatthepointnearesttowheretheballwaswhenplaywasstopped.ExplanationClearstatementhereremovesthemanyothertimesthisappears inthecurrentLaws.8.5–RefereecannotdeterminethedropballcontestOldtextTherefereecannotdecidewhomaycontestthedroppedballNewtextAnynumberofplayersmaycontestadroppedball(includingthegoalkeepers);therefereecannotdecidewhomaycontestthedroppedballoritsoutcome.ExplanationClarifiesthatrefereesshouldnot‘manufacture’droppedballsituations.8.6–DroppedballkickeddirectlyintothegoalOldtextIftheballentersthegoal(…)directly(…)NewtextIfadroppedballentersthegoalwithouttouchingatleasttwoplayers(...)ExplanationReplacing ‘directly’ with ‘without touching at least 2 players’ is clearer andconsistentwithwordinginotherLawsLAW9–THEBALLINANDOUTOFPLAY9.1-BallreboundingoffamatchofficialOldtextTheballisinplayatallothertimes,includingwhen:• itreboundsoffagoalpost,crossbarorcornerflagpostandremainsinthefieldofplay

• itreboundsofftherefereeoranassistantrefereewhentheyareonthefieldofplay

NewtextTheballisinplayatallothertimes,includingwhen:• it rebounds off a match official, goalpost, crossbar or corner flagpost andremainsinthefieldofplay

ExplanationChangeconfirmsthattheballisstillinplayifitreboundsoffanofficialwhoisjustoffthefieldofplay(AR,AAR)andtheballdoesnotwhollypassovertheline.LAW10–DETERMININGTHEOUTCOMEOFAMATCH10.1-TitlechangeOldtitleTheMethodofScoring

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NewtitleDeterminingtheOutcomeofaMatchExplanationKicksfromthePenaltyMark,Awaygoalsetc.nowincludedinthisLaw.10.2.1-Choosingthegoalforthekicksfromthepenaltymark(KFPM)OldtextTherefereechoosesthegoalatwhichthekickswillbetaken.ThepenaltyareawherethekicksfromthepenaltymarksaretakingplacemaybechangedonlyifthegoalortheplayingsurfacebecomesunusableNewtextUnlessthereareotherconsiderations(e.g.groundconditions,safetyetc…)therefereetossesacointodecidethegoalatwhichthekickswillbetakenwhichmayonlybechangedforsafetyreasonsorifthegoalorplayingsurfacebecomesunusable.ExplanationRefereesfinditdifficulttodecidewhichgoaltousewithhomesupportersatoneendandawaysupportersattheotherend.Subjecttoover-ridingconsiderations(security,conditionofthefieldetc…)thefairestmethodistotossacoin.10.2.2-Eligibleplayers(includingthosetemporarilyoffthefield)OldtextWiththeexceptionoftheforegoingcase,onlyplayerswhoareonthefieldofplayattheendofthematch,whichincludesextratimewhereappropriate,areeligibletotakekicksfromthepenaltymarkNewtextWiththeexceptionofasubstituteforaninjuredgoalkeeper,onlyplayerswhoareon the fieldofplayorare temporarilyoff the field (injury,adjustingequipmentetc…)attheendofthematchareeligibletotakekicksfromthepenaltymarkExplanationClarifies that a player temporarily off the field legitimately (injury, changingequipmentetc.)cantakepart,ascanasubstitutewhoreplacesagoalkeeper.10.2.3-NamingandorderofpenaltytakersOldtextEachteamisresponsibleforselectingtheplayersfromthoseonthefieldofplayattheendofthematchandtheorderinwhichtheywilltakethekicks.NewtextEachteamisresponsibleforselectingfromtheeligibleplayerstheorderinwhichtheywilltakethekicks.TherefereeisnotinformedoftheorderExplanationClarifiesthatthenamesand/ortheorderofkickersdonothavetobegiventothereferee(someincorrectlyaskforthenamesandstoptheorderbeingchanged).

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10.2.4–SamenumberofplayersOldtextIfattheendofthematchandbeforekicksstarttobetakenfromthepenaltymarkoneteamhasagreaternumberofplayersthanitsopponents,itmustreduceitsnumberstoequatewiththatof itsopponentsandthecaptainmustinformtherefereeofthenameandnumberofeachplayerexcluded.Ifaplayerisinjuredorsentoffduringthetakingofkicksfromthepenaltymarkandtheteamhasoneplayerfewer,therefereeshouldnotreducethenumberofplayerstakingkicksfortheotherteam.Anequalnumberofplayersfromeachteamisrequiredonlyatthestartofthetakingofkicksfromthepenaltymark.NewtextIfattheendofthematchandbeforeorduringthekicksoneteamhasagreaterNumberofplayersthanitsopponents, itmustreduceitsnumberstothesamenumber as its opponents and the referee must be informed of the name andnumberofeachplayerexcluded.ExplanationThisappliesthe‘fairplay’principleatthestartofKFPMi.e.oneteamshouldnotbenefitfromhavingfewerkickersthantheiropponentsasthiscouldmeantheir‘best’kickertakinga2ndkickagainsttheopponents’last/worstkicker.10.2.5-GoalkeeperunabletocontinueOldtextAgoalkeeperwhoisinjuredwhilekicksarebeingtakenfromthepenaltymarkandisunabletocontinueasgoalkeepermaybereplacedbyanamedsubstituteprovidedhisteamhasnotusedthemaximumnumberofsubstitutespermittedunderthecompetitionrulesNewtextAgoalkeeperwhoisunabletocontinuebeforeorduringthekicksandwhoseteamhasnotuseditsmaximumpermittednumberofsubstitutes,maybereplacedbyanamedsubstitute,oraplayerexcludedtoequalisethenumberofplayers,butthegoalkeepertakesnofurtherpartandmaynottakeakickExplanationClarifiesthatagoalkeepercanbereplacedatanytimebyasubstitute(orbyaplayerexcludedtomakethenumberequal)butmaynottakeakick10.2.6-Whenpenaltyiscompleted(see14.3)AdditionaltextThekickiscompletedwhentheballstopsmoving,goesoutofplayortherefereestopsplayforanyinfringementoftheLawsExplanationClarifieswhenarefereeshoulddecideakickisover(seealso14.3).

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10.2.7-SequenceofkickersAdditionaltext• Eachkickistakenbyadifferentplayerandalleligibleplayersmusttakeakickbeforeanyplayercantakeasecondkick

• Theaboveprinciplecontinuesforanysubsequentsequenceofkicksbutateammaychangetheorderofkickers

ExplanationClarifiesthatallteammembersmusttakethesamenumberofkicksbeforeaplayercantakeanotherkick;theordercanbechangedfornew‘round’ofkicks.10.2.8-PlayerleavingthefieldofplayAdditionaltextKicksfromthepenaltymarkmustnotbedelayedforaplayerwholeavesthefieldofplay.Theplayer’skickwillbeforfeited(notscored)iftheplayerdoesnotreturnintimetotakeakickExplanationClarifiesthattherefereemustnotdelayKFPMwhenaplayerleavesthefieldofplay;iftheplayerisnotbackintimethekickismissed(forfeited).Itisimportanttostop thispotentiallyunfairconduct (instructions fromthecoach,deliberatedelay,matchfixingetc.).LAW11–OFFSIDE11.1-StatusofhalfwaylineOldtextAplayerisnotinanoffsidepositionif:• heisinhisownhalfofthefieldofplayor…..NewtextAplayerisinanoffsidepositionif:• anypartofthehead,bodyorfeetisintheopponents’half(excludingthehalfwayline)

ExplanationClarifiesthatthehalfwaylineis‘neutral’foroffsidei.e.aplayermusthavepartofthebodyintheopponents’halftobeinanoffsideposition.11.2–Statusofplayers’armsNewtextAplayerisinanoffsidepositionif:• anypartofthehead,bodyorfeetisnearertotheopponents’goallinethanboththe ball and the second-last opponent. The hands and arms of all players,includingthegoalkeepers,arenotincluded.

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ExplanationClarifiesthatthehandsandarmsofdefenders,attackersandgoalkeepersarenotincludedwhenjudgingoffside.11.3–PositionnotoffencejudgedatthemomenttheballisplayedOldtextAplayerinanoffsidepositionisonlypenalisedif,atthemomenttheballtouchesorisplayedbyoneofhisteam,heis,intheopinionofthereferee,involvedinactiveplayby...NewtextAplayerinanoffsidepositionatthemomenttheballisplayedortouchedbyateam-mateisonlypenalisedonbecominginvolvedinactiveplayby…..ExplanationClarifiesthatitistheplayer’s(offside)positionwhichisjudgedwhentheballisplayed.Theoffenceoccursaftertheballisplayede.g.anoffsideplayerwhoscoresafterasavebyagoalkeepercommitstheoffenceaftertheballwasplayed.11.4–OffencefollowingareboundorsaveOldtextgaininganadvantagebybeinginthatpositionbyplayingaball:• thatreboundsorisdeflectedtohimoffthegoalpost,crossbaroranopponent• ………..fromadeliberatesavebyanyopponentNewtextgaininganadvantagebybeing in thatpositionbyplayingtheballor interferingwithanopponentwhenithas:• reboundedorbeendeflectedoffthegoalpost,crossbaroranopponent• beendeliberatelysavedbyanyopponentExplanationClarifiesthat‘interferingwithanopponent’afterarebound,deflectionorsaveisanoffsideoffence.11.5-PositionoffreekickOldtextsp.36-Intheeventofanoffsideoffence,therefereeawardsanindirectfreekicktotheopposingteamtobetakenfromtheplacewheretheinfringementoccurred;p.111-Whenanoffsideoffenceoccurs,therefereeawardsanindirectfreekicktobetakenfromthepositionoftheoffendingplayerwhentheballwaslastplayedtohimbyateam-mateNewtextIf an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kickwhere theoffenceoccurred,includingifitisintheplayer’sownhalfofthefieldofplay.ExplanationThe Law and the interpretationwere contradictory. Throughout the Laws, thegeneral principle is that a FK is awardedwhere an offence occurs so this nowappliestooffside.AFKcanbeawardedinaplayer’sownhalfiftheplayermoves

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from being in an offside position in the opponents’ half to commit an offsideoffenceintheplayer’sownotherhalf.11.6-DefendingplayeroffthefieldOldtextAnydefendingplayerleavingthefieldofplayforanyreasonwithoutthereferee’spermission shall be considered tobeonhisowngoal lineor touch line for thepurposesofoffsideuntilthenextstoppageinplay.Iftheplayerleftthefieldofplaydeliberately,hemustbecautionedwhentheballisnextoutofplay.NewtextAdefendingplayerwholeavesthefieldofplaywithoutthereferee’spermissionshallbeconsideredtobeonthegoallineortouchlineforthepurposesofoffsideuntil the next stoppage in play or until the defending team has played the balltowardsthehalfwaylineandit isoutsidetheirpenaltyarea. Iftheplayerleftthefieldofplaydeliberately,theplayermustbecautionedwhentheballisnextoutofplay.ExplanationIt isunfairthatan injureddefendingplayeroff thefield ‘playseveryoneonside’untilplaystops.Thenewwordingdefinestheendofthephaseofplaywhenthedefenderisnolongerconsideredtobeonthefieldforthepurposesofoffside.11.7-AttackingplayeroffthefieldOldtextItisnotanoffenceinitselfforaplayerwhoisinanoffsidepositiontostepoffthefieldofplaytoshowtherefereethatheisnotinvolvedinactiveplay.However,iftherefereeconsidersthathehasleftthefieldofplayfortacticalreasonsandhasgained anunfair advantage by re-entering the field of play, the playermust becautioned for unsporting behaviour. The player needs to ask for the referee’spermissiontore-enterthefieldofplay.NewtextAnattackingplayermaysteporstayoffthefieldofplaynottobeinvolvedinactiveplay.Iftheplayerre-entersfromthegoallineandbecomesinvolvedinplaybeforethenext stoppage inplay or thedefending teamhasplayed theball towards thehalfwaylineanditisoutsidetheirpenaltyarea,theplayershallbeconsideredtobepositionedon thegoal line for thepurposes of offside.Aplayerwhodeliberatelyleavesthefieldofplayandre-enterswithoutthereferee’spermissionandisnotpenalisedforoffsideandgainsanadvantage,mustbecautioned.ExplanationClarifieshowtodealwithanattackingplayerwholeavesorstaysoffthefieldofplayandthenreturns.11.8–AttackingplayerinthegoalOldtextIfanattackingplayerremainsstationarybetweenthegoalpostsandinsidethegoalnetastheballentersthegoal,agoalmustbeawarded.However,if…..theattacking

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playerdistractsanopponent,thegoalmustbedisallowed,theplayercautionedforunsportingbehaviourandplayrestartedwithadroppedball…NewtextIfanattackingplayerremainsstationarybetweenthegoalpostsandinsidethegoalastheballentersthegoal,agoalmustbeawardedunlesstheplayercommitsanoffsideoffenceorLaw12offenceinwhichcaseplayisrestartedwithanindirectordirectfreekick.ExplanationConsistentwithupdatedoffsidewording(i.e.removalof‘distracts’)andtheabilitytopenaliseanoffenceoffthefieldwithafreekickwhentheballisinplay.LAW12–FOULSANDMISCONDUCT12.1-InfringementswhentheballisnotinplayAdditionaltextDirectandindirectfreekicksandpenaltykickscanonlybeawardedforoffencesandinfringementscommittedwhilsttheballisinplay.ExplanationAdefinitivestatement(fromtheinterpretationssection)thattheballmustbeinplayformisconducttobepenalisedwithafreekickorpenaltykick.12.2-Directfreekick–add‘challenges’OldtextAdirectfreekickisawardedtotheopposingteamifaplayercommitsanyofthefollowing seven offences in amanner considered by the referee to be careless,recklessorusingexcessiveforce• tacklesanopponentNewtextAdirectfreekickisawardedifaplayercommitsanyofthefollowingoffencesinamannerconsideredbytherefereetobecareless,recklessorusingexcessiveforce• tacklesorchallengesExplanation’tackles’impliesachallengewiththefootbutsomechallengescanbewithotherpartsofthebody(e.g.knee)andtechnicallywerenotcovered.12.3–ContactmeansdirectfreekickAdditionaltextIfanoffenceinvolvescontactitispenalisedbyadirectfreekickorpenaltykick.ExplanationClarifiesthatadirectfreekickmustbeawardedifanoffenceinvolvescontact.12.4–Reckless–removalof‘complete’fromdefinitionOldtextRecklessmeansthattheplayerhasactedwithcompletedisregardtothedangerto,orconsequencesfor,hisopponent………mustbecautioned

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NewtextRecklessiswhenaplayeractswithdisregardtothedangerto,orconsequencesfor,anopponentandmustbecautionedExplanationTherewerelegalconcernsaboutthemeaning/relevanceof‘complete’.12.5-Seriousfoulplay–removalof‘far’fromdefinitionOldtextUsingexcessiveforcemeansthattheplayerhasfarexceededthenecessaryuseofforceandisindangerofinjuringhisopponent……..mustbesentoffNewtextUsing excessive force is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force andendangersthesafetyofanopponentandmustbesentoffExplanationTherewerelegalconcernsaboutthemeaning/relevanceof‘far’12.6-Directfreekick–add‘impedesanopponentwithcontact’AdditionaltextAdirectfreekickisawardedifaplayercommitsanyofthefollowingoffences:• impedesanopponentwithcontactExplanationConfirmationthatimpedinganopponentwithcontactitisadirectfreekick.12.7–ImpedingwithoutcontactmeansindirectfreekickOldtextAnindirectfreekickisalsoawardedtotheopposingteamif(...)aplayerimpedestheprogressofanopponentNewtextAn indirect free kick is awarded if (...) a player impedes the progress of anopponentwithoutanycontactbeingmadeExplanationConfirmationthatimpedinganopponentwithoutcontactisanindirectfreekick.12.8-Authoritytotakedisciplinaryactionfrompre-matchinspectionofthefield(see5.4)OldtextTherefereehastheauthoritytotakedisciplinarysanctionsfromthemomentheentersthefieldofplayuntilheleavesthefieldofplayafterthefinalwhistle.Newtext

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Therefereehastheauthoritytotakedisciplinaryactionfromenteringthefieldofplayforthepre-matchinspectionuntilleavingthefieldofplayafterthematchends(includingkicksfromthepenaltymark).If, before entering the field of play at the start of thematch, a player commits asending-offoffence,therefereehastheauthoritytopreventtheplayertakingpartinthematch(SeeLaw3.6);therefereewillreportanyothermisconduct.ExplanationSamechangeasoutlinedandexplainedinLaw5(see5.4).12.9 - Advantage played for a red card offence and player then becomesinvolvedAdditionaltextAdvantageshouldnotbeappliedinsituationsinvolvingseriousfoulplay,violentconductorasecondcautionableoffenceunlessthereisaclearopportunitytoscoreagoal.Therefereemustsendofftheplayerwhentheballisnextoutofplaybutiftheplayerplaystheballorchallenges/interfereswithanopponent,therefereewillstopplay,sendofftheplayerandrestartwithanindirectfreekick.ExplanationClarifiesthatontherareoccasionthatarefereeplaysadvantageforaRCoffence(only if a goal-scoring opportunity is imminent) if theRCplayer then becomesinvolvedinplay,thegamemustbestoppedasitwouldbeagainst‘fairplay’iftheplayerscored,contributedtoagoalorstoppedtheopponentsscoring.12.10–CautionsforhandballOldtextTherearedifferentcircumstanceswhenaplayermustbecautionedforunsportingbehaviour,e.g.ifaplayer:• commits a foul for the tactical purpose of interferingwith or breaking up apromisingattack

• holdsanopponentforthetacticalpurposeofpullingtheopponentawayfromtheballorpreventingtheopponentfromgettingtotheball

• handlestheball topreventanopponentgainingpossessionordevelopinganattack

• handlestheballinanattempttoscoreagoal(irrespectiveofwhetherornottheattemptissuccessful)

NewtextTherearedifferentcircumstanceswhenaplayermustbecautionedforunsportingbehaviour,e.g.ifaplayer:• commitsafoulorhandlestheballtointerferewithorstopapromisingattack• handles theball inanattempttoscoreagoal (whetherornot theattempt issuccessful)orinanunsuccessfulattempttopreventagoal

Explanation• ‘Preventinganopponentgainingpossession’isremovedasaYCoffenceasit

causessomerefereestoYCeveryhandball.• HandlingisincludedasaYCoffencewhenit‘stops/interfereswithapromising

attack’(aswithotheroffenceswhichhavethesameeffect).

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• ClarifiesthataplayerwhotriesunsuccessfullytohandletheballtostopagoalbeingscoredshouldreceiveaYC.

12.11–Denialofanobviousgoal-scoringopportunityinthepenaltyareaAdditionaltextWhereaplayerdeniestheopposingteamagoaloranobviousgoal-scoringopportunitybyadeliberatehandballoffencetheplayerissentoffwherevertheoffenceoccurs.Whereaplayercommitsanoffenceagainstanopponentwithintheirownpenaltyareawhichdeniesanopponentanobviousgoal-scoringopportunityandtherefereeawardsapenaltykick,theoffendingplayeriscautionedunless:• theoffenceisholding,pullingorpushingor• theoffendingplayerdoesnotattempttoplaytheballorthereisnopossibilityfortheplayermakingthechallengetoplaytheballor

• theoffenceisonewhichispunishablebyaredcardwhereveritoccursonthefieldofplay(e.g.seriousfoulplay,violentconductetc.)

Inalltheabovecircumstancestheplayerissentoff.ExplanationWhenaDOGSOoffenceiscommittedbyadefenderinthepenaltyarea,thepenaltykickeffectivelyrestores thegoal-scoringopportunityso thepunishment for theplayershouldbelessstrong(aYC)thanwhentheoffenceiscommittedoutsidethepenalty area. However, where the offence is handball or clearly not a genuineattempttoplayorchallengefortheball(asdefinedinthewording)theplayerwillbesentoff.12.12-Seriousfoulplay–inclusionof‘challenge’OldtextAtacklethatendangersthesafetyofanopponentmustbesanctionedasseriousfoulplay.NewtextAtackleorchallengethatendangersthesafetyofanopponentmustbesanctionedasseriousfoulplay.ExplanationSamechangeasin12.2-‘challenge’includesoffenceswiththearms,elbowsetc…12.13–ViolentConduct–nocontactOldtextAplayerisguiltyofviolentconductifheusesexcessiveforceorbrutalityagainstan opponent when not challenging for the ball or excessive force or brutalityagainstateam-mate,spectator,matchofficialoranyotherperson.Newtext

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Violentconductiswhenaplayerusesorattemptstouseexcessiveforceorbrutalityagainst anopponentwhennot challenging for theball, or against a team-mate,teamofficial,matchofficial,spectatororanyotherperson,regardlessofwhethercontactismade.ExplanationClarifiesthatattemptedviolenceispunishedbyaRCevenifunsuccessful12.14–ViolentConduct–contactwiththehead/faceAdditionaltextInaddition,aplayerwho,whennotchallengingfortheball,deliberatelystrikesanopponentoranyotherpersonontheheadorfacewiththehandorarm,isguiltyofviolentconductunlesstheforceusedwasnegligibleExplanationClarifiesthataplayerwhodeliberatelyhits/strikesanopponentonthehead/face(whennotchallengingfortheball)shouldbesentoff(unlessnegligibleforce).12.15–Offencesagainstsubstitutes,teamofficials,matchofficialsetc.Oldtext• Iftheballisinplayandaplayercommitsanoffenceinsidethefieldofplay:

• againstanopponent,playisrestartedwithadirectfreekickfromthepositionwheretheoffenceoccurred(seeLaw13–Positionoffreekick)orapenaltykick(ifinsidetheoffendingplayer’sownpenaltyarea)

• againstateam-mate,playisrestartedwithanindirectfreekickfromthepositionwheretheoffenceoccurred(seeLaw13–Positionoffreekick)

• againstasubstituteorsubstitutedplayer,playisrestartedwithanindirectfreekickfromthepositionoftheballwhenplaywasstopped(seeLaw13–Positionoffreekick)

• againsttherefereeoranassistantreferee,playisrestartedwithanindirectfreekickfromthepositionwheretheoffenceoccurred(seeLaw13–Positionoffreekick)

• againstanotherperson,playisrestartedwithadroppedballfromthepositionoftheballwhenplaywasstopped,unlessplaywasstoppedinsidethegoalarea,inwhichcasetherefereedropstheballonthegoalarealineparalleltothegoallineatthepointnearesttowheretheballwaslocatedwhenplaywasstopped

Newtext• If theball is inplay andaplayer commits anoffence inside the fieldof playagainst:• anopponent-indirectordirectfreekickorpenaltykick• ateam-mate,substitute,substitutedplayer,teamofficialoramatchofficial-

adirectfreekickorpenaltykick• anyotherperson-adroppedball

ExplanationThepunishmentforanoffenceagainstanotherparticipantreflectstheseriousnessofsuchanactione.g.footballsendsoutaweak/poormessageifanoffenceagainstamatchofficialisonlyanindirectfreekick.12.16–Foulsoffthefieldofplay(see13.3+14.1)

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OldtextIftheballisinplayandtheoffenceoccurredoutsidethefieldofplay………–iftheplayerleavesthefieldofplaytocommittheoffence,playisrestartedwithanindirectfreekickfromthepositionoftheballwhenplaywasstopped(seeLaw13–Positionoffreekick)

NewtextIftheballisinplayandtheoffenceoccurredoutsidethefieldofplay(...)However,ifaplayerleavesthefieldofplayaspartofplayandcommitsanoffenceagainstanotherplayer,playisrestartedwithafreekicktakenontheboundarylinenearesttowheretheoffenceoccurred;fordirectfreekickoffencesapenaltykickisawardedifthisiswithintheoffender’spenaltyarea.ExplanationLawischangedasfootballwouldexpectthatif2playersleavethefieldaspartofnormalactionandonefoulstheotheroffthefield,afreekickshouldbeawarded.NoonewouldunderstandiftherefereegaveaRC/YCandrestartedwithadroppedball(orIDFK).TheFKisawardedonthetouchline/goallinenearesttowherethefouloccurred;ifthisisintheoffender’spenaltyareaapenaltyisawarded.LAW13–FREEKICKS13.1–FreekicksareawardedtotheopposingteamOldtextFreekicksaredirectorindirectNewtextDirectandindirectfreekicksareawardedtotheopposingteamofaplayerguiltyofanoffenceorinfringementExplanationStating thata freekick isawardedto theopposingteamat thestartof theLawallowstheremovalofthemanyusesofthephrase‘totheopposingteam’.13.2-PositionoffreekicksAdditiontextAllfreekicksaretakenfromtheplacewheretheinfringementoccurredexcept:ExplanationClearstatementatthestartofthisLawallowstheremovalofspecificreferencetothepositionofthefreekickinmanyoftheLaws.13.3–FoulsoffthefieldofplayOldTextFreekicksawardedforoffencesinvolvingaplayerentering,re-enteringorleavingthefieldofplaywithoutpermissionaretakenfromthepositionoftheballwhenplaywasstoppedNewtext

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Freekicksforoffencesinvolvingaplayerentering,re-enteringorleavingthefieldofplaywithoutpermissionaretakenfromthepositionoftheballwhenplaywasstopped.However,ifaplayerleavesthefieldofplayaspartofplayandcommitsanoffence against another player, play is restarted with a free kick taken on theboundarylinenearesttowheretheoffenceoccurred;fordirectfreekickoffencesapenaltykickisawardedifthisiswithintheoffender’spenaltyarea.ExplanationConsistentwithchangeoutlinedin12.16+14.1.13.4–BallmustclearlymovetobeinplayOldTextTheballisinplaywhenitiskickedandmoves…….NewtextTheballisinplaywhenitiskickedandclearlymoves…….ExplanationChangeconsistentwithkick-off(8.3),penaltykick(14.2)andcornerkick(17.2).13.5-Stopping/interceptingfreekicksOldtextIfaplayerdecidestotakeafreekickquicklyandanopponentwhoisneartheballdeliberatelypreventshimtakingthekick,therefereemustcautiontheplayerfordelayingtherestartofplay.Ifaplayerdecidestotakeafreekickquicklyandanopponentwhoislessthan9.15m(10yds)fromtheballinterceptsit,therefereemustallowplaytocontinue.NewtextIfaplayertakesafreekickquicklyandanopponentwhoislessthan9.15m(10yds)fromtheballinterceptsit,therefereeallowsplaytocontinue.However,anopponentwhodeliberatelypreventsafreekickbeingtakenmustbecautionedfordelayingtherestartofplay.ExplanationParagraphs reversed; clearer distinction between ‘preventing’ a free kick beingtakenand‘intercepting’aquickfreekickafterithasbeentaken.LAW14–THEPENALTYKICK14.1–Penaltyforfouloffthefieldofplay(see12.16+13.3)OldtextApenaltykickisawardedagainstateamthatcommitsoneofthetenoffencesforwhichadirectfreekickisawardedinsidehisownpenaltyareaNewtext

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ApenaltykickisawardedifaplayercommitsadirectfreekickoffenceinsidetheirpenaltyareaoroffthefieldaspartofplayasoutlinedinLaws12and13.ExplanationrepeatofLaw12and13changes thatapenalty isawarded foranoffencebyadefenderoffthefieldofplaywiththeballinplayifthenearestpointtotheoffenceisinsidetheirownpenaltyarea.14.2-StationarypositionandmovementoftheballOldtextTheball:• mustbeplacedonthepenaltymark• TheballisinplaywhenitiskickedandmovesNewtextTheballmustbestationaryonthepenaltymark• TheballisinplaywhenitiskickedandclearlymovesExplanationConsistentwithotherchanges.14.3–Whenpenaltyiscompleted(see10.2.6)AdditionaltextThepenaltykick iscompletedwhentheball stopsmoving,goesoutofplayor therefereestopsplayforanyinfringementoftheLawsExplanationClarifieswhenapenaltykickisover.14.4–SomeoffencesarealwayspunishedwithanindirectfreekickOldtextIftherefereegivesthesignalforapenaltykicktobetakenand,beforetheballisinplay,oneofthefollowingoccurs:theplayertakingthepenaltykickinfringestheLawsoftheGame:• therefereeallowsthekicktobetaken• iftheballentersthegoal,thekickisretaken• iftheballdoesnotenterthegoal,therefereestopsplayandthematchisrestartedwithanindirectfreekicktothedefendingteamfromtheplacewheretheinfringementoccurred

thegoalkeeperinfringestheLawsoftheGame:• therefereeallowsthekicktobetaken• iftheballentersthegoal,agoalisawarded• iftheballdoesnotenterthegoal,thekickisretakenateam-mateoftheplayertakingthekickinfringestheLawsoftheGame:• therefereeallowsthekicktobetaken• iftheballentersthegoal,thekickisretaken• iftheballdoesnotenterthegoal,therefereestopsplayandthematchisrestartedwithanindirectfreekicktothedefendingteamfromtheplacewheretheinfringementoccurred

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ateam-mateofthegoalkeeperinfringestheLawsoftheGame:• therefereeallowsthekicktobetaken• iftheballentersthegoal,agoalisawarded• iftheballdoesnotenterthegoal,thekickisretakenNewtextOncetherefereehassignalledforapenaltykicktobetaken,thekickmustbetaken.If,beforetheballisinplay,oneofthefollowingoccurs….theplayertakingthepenaltykickorateam-mateinfringestheLawsoftheGame:• iftheballentersthegoal,thekickisretaken• iftheballdoesnotenterthegoal,therefereestopsplayandrestartswithan

indirectfreekickexceptforthefollowingwhenplaywillbestoppedandrestartedwithanindirectfreekickregardlessofwhetherornotagoalisscored:• apenaltykickiskickedbackwards• a team-mate of the identified kicker takes the kick; the referee cautions the

playerwhotookthekick• feintingtokicktheballoncethekickerhascompletedtherun-up(feintinginthe

run-upispermitted);therefereecautionsthekickerExplanationEmphasises that the standard re-take/goal/indirect free kick decisiondoes notapply to thesesituations,especially thewrongplayer taking thekickor ‘illegal’feintingwhichare‘deliberate’actsofunsportingbehaviour.14.5–OffencesbythegoalkeeperAdditionaltextIftheballdoesnotenterthegoalthekickisretaken;thegoalkeeperiscautionedifresponsiblefortheinfringementExplanationAs theLawhasbeen changed todealmore stronglywith apenaltykickerwho‘illegallyfeints’,itisconsistentthatagoalkeeperwhoinfringestheLawcausingaretakeiscautioned.ThisshouldencouragegoalkeepersnottoinfringethisLaw.14.6–SeveraloffencescommittedatthesametimeOldtextaplayerofboththedefendingteamandtheattackingteaminfringestheLawsoftheGamethekickisretakenNewtextaplayerofbothteamsinfringestheLawsoftheGamethekickisretakenunlessaplayercommitsamoreseriousoffence(e.g.illegalfeinting)ExplanationRepeatofchangeinLaw5wherethemoreseriousoffenceispenalised(See5.3).LAW15–THETHROW-IN15.1–BallisthrownwithbothhandsOldText

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Atthemomentofdeliveringtheball,thethrower:• facesthefieldofplay• haspartofeachfooteitheronthetouchlineoronthegroundoutsidethetouchline

• holdstheballwithbothhands• deliverstheballfrombehindandoverhishead• deliverstheballfromthepointwhereitleftthefieldofplayNewtextAtthemomentofdeliveringtheball,thethrowermust:• facethefieldofplay• havepartofeachfooteitheronthetouchlineoronthegroundoutsidethetouchline

• throwtheballwithbothhandsfrombehindandovertheheadfromthepointwhereitleftthefieldofplayExplanation• ‘throws’isamorelogicalwordtousethan‘delivers’• combiningbulletpoints3and4emphasisesthatthe ‘onehanded’ foulthrow(ballthrownwithonehandandguidedwiththeother)isnotpermitted.

15.2–Encroachingwithin2m(2yds)OldTextIfanopponentunfairlydistractsorimpedesthethrower• heiscautionedforunsportingbehaviourNewtextAn opponentwho unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower (includingmovingcloserthan2m(2yds)fromtheplacewherethethrow-inistobetaken)iscautionedforunsportingbehaviourandifthethrow-inhasbeentakenanindirectfreekickisawarded.ExplanationClarifies that not respecting the 2m (2 yds) distance is considered unfairlydistractingorimpedingandanIDFKistherestartifthethrow-inhasbeentaken.LAW16–THEGOALKICK16.1–CornerkickifkickeddirectlyintoowngoalAdditionaltext• Agoalmaybescoreddirectly fromagoalkickbutonlyagainst theopposingteam;iftheballdirectlyentersthekicker’sgoalacornerkickisawardedtotheopponentsiftheballleftthepenaltyarea

ExplanationClarifiesthecorrectrestartifaplayerscoresan‘owngoal’directlyfromagoalkick(e.g.instrongwind).16.2-BallmustbestationaryNewtext• Theballmustbestationaryandiskickedfromanypointwithinthegoalareabyaplayerofthedefendingteam

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ExplanationClarifiesthattheballmustbestationaryasthiswasnotinthe‘old’wording.16.3–OpponentinthepenaltyareawhengoalkicktakenAdditionaltextIf anopponentwho is in thepenaltyareawhen thegoalkick is taken touchesorchallengesfortheballbeforeithastouchedanotherplayer,thegoalkickisretaken.ExplanationClarifiesthatanyopponent(s)inthepenaltyareawhenthegoalkickistakencannot touch/challenge for theball until anotherplayerhas touched it so that theplayerdoesnotgainanadvantagefromhavingnotleftthepenaltyareaasrequiredbyLaw.LAW17–THECORNERKICK17.1–CornerkickifkickeddirectlyintoowngoalAdditionaltext• Agoalmaybescoreddirectlyfromacornerkickbutonlyagainsttheopposingteam;iftheballdirectlyentersthekicker’sgoalacornerkickisawardedtotheopponents

ExplanationClarifiescorrectrestartifaplayerscoresan‘owngoal’directlyfromacornerkick.17.2–BallmustbestationaryandthenclearlymovetobeinplayNewtext• Theballmustbeplacedinthecornerarea• Theballmustbestationaryandiskickedbyaplayeroftheattackingteam• Theballisinplaywhenitiskickedandclearlymoves…….Explanation• Areareplaces‘arc’• Clarifiesthattheballmustbestationary• ReflectschangestootherLaws,butwhichisespeciallyimportantforcorner

kicks,tostopaplayerjusttouchingtheballthenunsportinglypretendingthatthecornerhasnotbeentaken

GlossaryThe Glossary contains words/phrases which need clarification or explanationbeyondthedetailintheLawsand/orwhicharenotalwayseasilytranslatedintootherlanguages.

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PracticalGuidelinesforMatchOfficialsIntroductionTheseguidelinescontainpracticaladviceformatchofficialswhichsupplementstheinformationintheLawsoftheGame.ReferenceismadeinLaw5torefereesoperatingwithintheframeworkoftheLawsoftheGameandthe‘spiritofthegame’.Refereesareexpectedtousecommonsenseandtoapplythe‘spiritofthegame’whenapplyingtheLawsoftheGame,especiallywhenmakingdecisionsrelatingtowhetheramatchtakesplaceand/orcontinues.This is especially true for the lower levels of footballwhere itmaynotalwaysbepossiblefortheLawtobestrictlyapplied.Forexample,unlesstherearesafetyissues,therefereeshouldallowagametostart/continueif:• Oneormorecornerflagsismissing• There isaminor inaccuracywith themarkingson the fieldofplay suchas thecornerarea,centrecircleetc.

• Thegoalposts/crossbararenotwhiteInsuchcases,therefereeshould,withtheagreementoftheteams,play/continuethematchandmustsubmitareporttotheappropriateauthorities.Key:

• AR=assistantreferee • AAR=additionalassistantreferee

Positioning,MovementandTeamwork1.GeneralpositioningandmovementThebestpositionisonefromwhichtherefereecanmakethecorrectdecision.Allrecommendationsaboutpositioningmustbeadjustedusingspecificinformationabouttheteams,theplayersandeventsinthematch.Thepositionsrecommendedinthegraphicsarebasicguidelines.Thereferencetoa“zone”emphasisesthatarecommendedpositionisanareawithinwhichtherefereeislikelytobemosteffective.Thezonemaybelarger,smallerordifferentlyshapeddependingontheexactmatchcircumstances.Recommendations:

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• TheplayshouldbebetweentherefereeandtheleadAR• The lead AR should be in the referee’s field of vision so the referee shouldusuallyuseawidediagonalsystem

• StayingtowardstheoutsideoftheplaymakesiteasiertokeepplayandtheleadARinthereferee’sfieldofvision

• Therefereeshouldbecloseenoughtoseeplaywithoutinterferingwithplay• “Whatneeds tobeseen” isnotalways in thevicinityof theball.The refereeshouldalsopayattentionto:• playerconfrontationsofftheball• possibleoffencesintheareatowardswhichplayismoving• offencesoccurringaftertheballisplayedaway

PositioningofassistantrefereesandadditionalassistantrefereesTheARmustbeinlinewiththesecond-lastdefenderortheballifitisnearerthegoallinethanthesecond-lastdefender.TheARmustalwaysfacethefieldofplay,evenwhen running. Side-to-sidemovement shouldbeused for shortdistances.ThisisespeciallyimportantwhenjudgingoffsideasitgivestheARabetterlineofvision.TheAARpositionisbehindthegoallineexceptwhereitisnecessarytomoveontothegoallinetojudgeagoal/nogoalsituation.TheAARisnotallowedtoenterthefieldofplayunlessthereareexceptionalcircumstances.2.PositioningandteamworkConsultationWhendealingwithdisciplinaryissues,eyecontactandabasicdiscreethandsignalfromtheARtotherefereemaybesufficient.Whendirectconsultationisrequired,theARmayadvance2-3metresontothefieldofplayifnecessary.Whentalking,therefereeandARshouldbothfacethefieldofplaytoavoidbeingheardbyothersandtoobservetheplayersandfieldofplay.CornerkickTheAR’spositionforacornerkickisbehindthecornerflaginlinewiththegoallinebuttheARmustnotinterferewiththeplayertakingthecornerkickandmustcheckthattheballisproperlyplacedinthecornerarea.FreekickTheAR’spositionforafreekickmustbeinlinewiththesecond-lastdefendertochecktheoffsideline.However,theARmustbereadytofollowtheballbymovingdownthetouchlinetowardsthecornerflagifthereisadirectshotongoal.Goal/nogoalWhenagoalhasbeenscoredandthereisnodoubtaboutthedecision,therefereeandassistantrefereemustmakeeyecontactandtheassistantrefereemustthenmovequickly25-30metresalongthetouchlinetowardsthehalfwaylinewithoutraisingtheflag.

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Whenagoalhasbeenscoredbuttheballappearsstilltobeinplay,theassistantrefereemustfirstraisetheflagtoattractthereferee’sattentionthencontinuewiththenormalgoalprocedureofrunningquickly25-30metresalongthetouchlinetowardsthehalfwayline.On occasionswhen thewhole of the ball does not cross the goal line and playcontinuesasnormalbecauseagoalhasnotbeenscored,therefereemustmakeeyecontactwiththeassistantrefereeandifnecessarygiveadiscreethandsignal.GoalkickTheARmustfirstcheckiftheballisinsidethegoalarea.Iftheballisnotplacedcorrectly, the ARmust notmove from the position,make eye contactwith therefereeandraisetheflag.Oncetheballisplacedcorrectlyinsidethegoalarea,theARmustmove to theedgeof thepenalty area to check that theball leaves thepenaltyarea(ballinplay)andthattheattackersareoutside.Finally,theARmusttakeapositiontochecktheoffsideline,However,ifthereisanAAR,theARshouldtakeupapositioninlinewiththeedgeofthepenaltyareaandthentheoffsidelineandtheAARmustbepositionedattheintersectionofthegoallineandthegoalarea,andcheckiftheballisplacedinsidethegoalarea.Iftheballisnotplacedcorrectly,theAARmustcommunicatethistothereferee.GoalkeeperreleasingtheballTheARmusttakeapositioninlinewiththeedgeofthepenaltyareaandcheckthatthe goalkeeper does not handle the ball outside the penalty area. Once thegoalkeeperhasreleasedtheball,theARmusttakeapositiontochecktheoffsideline.Kick-offTheARsmustbeinlinewiththesecond-lastdefender.KicksfromthepenaltymarkOneARmustbepositionedattheintersectionofthegoallineandthegoalarea.TheotherARmustbesituatedinthecentrecircletocontroltheplayers.IfthereareAARs,theymustbepositionedateachintersectionofthegoallineandthegoalarea, to the right and left of the goal respectively; bothARs are situated in thecentrecircle.PenaltykickTheARmustbepositionedattheintersectionofthegoallineandthepenaltyarea.WherethereareAARs,theAARmustbepositionedattheintersectionofthegoallineandthepenaltyareaandtheARispositionedin linewiththepenaltymark(whichistheoffsideline).MassconfrontationInsituationsofmassconfrontation,thenearestARmayenterthefieldofplaytoassistthereferee.TheotherARmustobserveandrecorddetailsoftheincident.Thefourthofficialshouldremaininthevicinityofthetechnicalareas.

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RequireddistanceWhenafreekickisawardedveryclosetotheAR,theARmayenterthefieldofplay(usuallyattherequestofthereferee)tohelpensurethattheplayersarepositioned9.15m(10yds)fromtheball. Inthiscase,therefereemustwaituntiltheARisbackinpositionbeforerestartingplay.SubstitutionIf there isno fourthofficial, theARmovesto thehalfway linetoassistwiththesubstitution procedure; the referee must wait until the AR is back in positionbeforerestartingplay.Ifthereisafourthofficial,theARdoesnotneedtomovetothehalfwaylineasthefourth official carries out the substitution procedure unless there are severalsubstitutionsatthesametimeinwhichcasetheARmovestothehalfwaylinetoassistthefourthofficial.

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Bodylanguage,CommunicationandWhistle1.RefereesBodylanguageBodylanguageisatoolthattherefereeusesto:• helpcontrolthematch• showauthorityandself-controlBodylanguageisnotanexplanationofadecision.SignalsSeeLaw5fordiagramsofsignalsWhistleThewhistleisneededto:• startplay(1stand2ndhalfofnormalplayandextratime),afteragoal• stopplay:

• forafreekickorpenaltykick• ifthematchissuspendedorabandoned• attheendofeachhalf

• restartplayfor:• freekickswhentheappropriatedistanceisrequired• penaltykicks

• restartplayafterithasbeenstoppedfora:• cautionorsending-off• injury• substitution

ThewhistleisNOTneededto:• stopplayforaclear:–goalkick,cornerkick,throw-inorgoal

• restartplayfrom:–mostfreekicks,andagoalkick,cornerkick,throw-inordroppedball

Awhistlewhichisusedtoofrequently/unnecessarilywillhavelessimpactwhenitisneeded.Iftherefereewantstheplayer(s)towaitforthewhistlebeforerestartingplay(e.g.whenensuringthatdefendingplayersare9.15matafreekick)therefereemustclearlyinformtheattackingplayer(s)towaitforthewhistle.If therefereeblowsthewhistle inerrorandplaystops,play isrestartedwithadroppedball.2.AssistantrefereesBeepsignalThe beep signal system is an additional signal which is only used to gain thereferee’sattention.Situationswhenthesignalbeepmaybeusefulinclude:• offside• offences(outsidetheviewofthereferee)

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• throw-in,cornerkick,goalkickorgoal(tightdecisions)ElectroniccommunicationsystemWhereanelectroniccommunicationsystemisused,therefereewilladvisetheARsbefore thematch as towhen itmay be appropriate to use the communicationsystemwith,orinsteadof,aphysicalsignal.FlagtechniqueTheAR’sflagmustalwaysbeunfurledandvisibletothereferee.Thisusuallymeanstheflagiscarriedinthehandclosesttothereferee.Whenmakingasignal,theARstopsrunning,facesthefieldofplay,makeseyecontactwiththerefereeandraisestheflagwithadeliberate(nothastyorexaggerated)motion.Theflagshouldbelikeanextensionofthearm.TheARsmustraisetheflagusingthehandthatwillbeusedforthenextsignal.Ifcircumstanceschangeandtheotherhandmustbeused,theARshouldmovetheflagtotheoppositehandbelowthewaist.IftheARsignalsthat the ball is out of play, the signal must be maintained until the refereeacknowledgesit.IftheARsignalsforasending-offoffenceandthesignalisnotseenimmediately:• ifplayhasbeenstopped, the restartmaybechanged inaccordancewith theLaws(freekick,penaltykicketc.)

• if play has restarted, the referee may still take disciplinary action but notpenalisetheoffencewithafreekickorpenaltykick

GesturesAsageneralrule,theARshouldnotuseobvioushandsignals.However,insomeinstances,adiscreethandsignalmayassist thereferee.Thehandsignal shouldhaveaclearmeaningwhichshouldhavebeenagreedinthepre-matchdiscussion.SignalsSeeLaw6fordiagramsofsignalsCornerkick/goalkickWhentheballwhollypassesoverthegoallineneartotheAR,asignalshouldbemadewiththerighthand(betterlineofvision)toindicatewhetheritisagoalkickoracornerkick.WhentheballwhollypassesoverthegoallinetheARmustraisetheflagtoinformtherefereethattheballisoutofplayandthenifitis:• neartotheAR-indicatewhetheritisagoalkickoracornerkick.• farfromtheAR-makeeyecontactandfollowthereferee’sdecision.TheAR

mayalsomakeadirectsignalifthedecisionisanobviousone.FoulsThe AR must raise the flag when a foul or misconduct is committed in theimmediatevicinityoroutofthereferee’svision.Inallothersituations,theARmustwaitandofferanopinionifitisrequiredandtheninformtherefereewhatwasseenandheard,andwhichplayerswereinvolved.

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Beforesignallingforanoffence,theARmustdeterminethat:• theoffencewasoutofthereferee’svieworthereferee’sviewwasobstructed• therefereewouldnothaveappliedtheadvantageWhenanoffence/infringementoccurswhichrequiresasignalfromtheAR,theARmust:• raisetheflagwiththesamehandthatwillalsobeusedfortheremainderofthesignal-thisgivestherefereeaclearindicationastowhowillbeawardedthefreekick

• makeeyecontactwiththereferee• givetheflagaslightwavebackandforth(avoidinganyexcessiveoraggressivemovement)

TheARmustusethe“waitandseetechnique”toallowplaytocontinueandnotraise the flagwhen the teamagainstwhichanoffencehasbeencommittedwillbenefitfromtheadvantage;itisthereforeveryimportantfortheARtomakeeyecontactwiththereferee.FoulsinsidethepenaltyareaWhenafouliscommittedbyadefenderinsidethepenaltyareaoutofthevisionofthe referee, especially if near to the AR’s position, the ARmust firstmake eyecontactwiththerefereetoseewheretherefereeispositionedandwhatactionhasbeentaken.Iftherefereehasnottakenanyaction,theARmustsignalwiththeflag,usetheelectronicbeepsignalandthenvisiblymovedownthetouchlinetowardsthecornerflag.FoulsoutsidethepenaltyareaWhen a foul is committed by a defender outside the penalty area (near theboundaryofthepenaltyarea),theARshouldmakeeyecontactwiththereferee,toseethereferee’spositionandwhatactionhasbeentaken,andsignalwiththeflagifnecessary.Incounter-attacksituations,theARshouldbeabletogiveinformationsuch as whether or not a foul has been committed and whether a foul wascommittedinsideoroutsidethepenaltyarea,andwhatdisciplinaryactionshouldbetaken.TheARshouldmakeaclearmovementalongthetouchlinetowardsthehalfwaylinetoindicatewhentheoffencetookplaceoutsidethepenaltyarea.Goal-nogoalWhenitisclearthattheballhaswhollypassedoverthegoallineinthegoal,theARmustmakeeyecontactwiththerefereewithoutgivinganyadditionalsignal. Whenagoalhasbeenscoredbutitisnotclearwhethertheballhaspassedovertheline,theARmustfirstraisetheflagtoattractthereferee’sattentionandthenconfirmthegoal.OffsideThefirstactionoftheARforanoffsidedecisionistoraisetheflag(usingtherighthand,givingtheARabetterlineofvision)andtheniftherefereestopsplayusetheflagtoindicatetheareaofthefieldofplayinwhichtheoffenceoccurred.Iftheflagisnotimmediatelyseenbythereferee,theARmustmaintainthesignaluntilithasbeenacknowledgedortheballisclearlyinthecontrolofthedefendingteam.

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PenaltykickIfthegoalkeeperblatantlymovesoffthegoallinebeforetheballiskickedandagoalisnotscored,theARmustraisetheflag.SubstitutionOnce the AR has been informed (by the fourth official or team official) that asubstitution is requested, the AR must signal this to the referee at the nextstoppage.Throw-inWhentheballwhollypassesoverthetouchline:• neartotheAR-adirectsignalshouldbemadetoindicatethedirectionofthe

throw-in• farfromtheARandthethrow-indecisionisanobviousone-theARmustmake

adirectsignaltoindicatethedirectionofthethrow-in• farfromtheARandtheARisindoubtaboutthedirectionofthethrow-in-the

ARmustraisetheflagtoinformtherefereethattheballisoutofplay,makeeyecontactwiththerefereeandfollowthereferee’ssignal

3.AdditionalassistantrefereesTheAARsusearadiocommunicationsystem(notflags)tocommunicatewiththereferee. If the radio communication system fails towork, theAARswill use anelectronicsignalbeepflagstick.AARsdonotusuallyuseobvioushandsignalsbut,insomeinstances,adiscreethandsignalmaygivevaluablesupporttothereferee.Thehandsignalshouldhaveaclearmeaningandsuchsignalsshouldbeagreedinthepre-matchdiscussion.“Goal–nogoal”situationsTheAAR,havingassessedthattheballhaswhollypassedoverthegoallinewithinthegoal,must:

• immediatelyinformtherefereeviathecommunicationsystemthatagoalshouldbeawarded

• makeaclearsignalwiththeleftarmperpendiculartothegoallinepointingtowardsthecentreofthefield(flagstickinthelefthandisalsorequired).Thissignalisnotrequiredwhentheballhasveryclearlypassedoverthegoalline.

Therefereewillmakethefinaldecision.

Otheradvice1. AdvantageTherefereemayplayadvantagewheneveraninfringementoroffenceoccursbutshouldconsiderthefollowingindecidingwhethertoapplytheadvantageorstopplay:• the severity of the offence - if the infringement warrants a sending-off, therefereemuststopplayandsendofftheplayerunlessthereisaclearopportunitytoscoreagoal

• thepositionwhere theoffencewascommitted - thecloser to theopponent’sgoal,themoreeffectivetheadvantagecanbe

• thechancesofanimmediate,promisingattack• theatmosphereofthematch2.AllowancefortimelostMany stoppages in play are entirely natural (e.g. throw-ins, goal kicks). Anallowanceismadeonlywhendelaysareexcessive.3.HoldinganopponentReferees are reminded to make an early intervention and to deal firmly withholdingoffences,especiallyinsidethepenaltyareaatcornerkicksandfreekicks.Todealwiththesesituations:• therefereemustwarnanyplayerholdinganopponentbeforetheballisinplay• cautiontheplayeriftheholdingcontinuesbeforetheballisinplay• awardadirectfreekickorpenaltykickandcautiontheplayerifithappensoncetheballisinplay

4.Offside(theexplanatorydiagramswillbeinE-versionandLawbook)5.Treatment/assessmentafteracaution/sending-offoffencePreviously,aninjuredplayerwhoreceivedmedicalattentiononthefieldofplaymustleavebeforetherestart.Thiscanbeunfairifanopponentcausedtheinjuryastheoffendingteamhasanumericaladvantagewhenplayrestarts.

However,thisrequirementwasintroducedbecauseplayersoftenunsportinglyusedaninjurytodelaytherestartfortacticalreasons.

Asabalancebetweenthesetwounfairsituations,TheIFABhasdecidedthatonlyforaphysicaloffencewheretheopponentiscautionedorsentoff,aninjuredplayercanbequicklyassessed/treatedandthenremainonthefieldofplay.

Inprinciple,thedelayshouldnotbeanylongerthancurrentlyoccurswhenamedicalperson(s)comesonthefieldtoassessaninjury.Thedifferenceisthatthepointatwhichtherefereeusedtorequirethemedicalperson(s)andtheplayertoleaveisnowthepointatwhichthemedicalstaffleavebuttheplayercanremain.

Toensuretheinjuredplayerdoesnotuse/extendthedelayunfairly,refereesareadvisedto:

• beawareofthematchsituationandanypotentialtacticalreasontodelaytherestart

• informtheinjuredplayerthatifmedicalattentionitrequireditmustbequick

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• signalforthemedicalperson(s)(notthestretchers)and,ifpossible,remindthemtobequick

Whentherefereedecidesplayshouldrestarteither:• themedicalperson(s)leavesandtheplayerremainsor• theplayerleavesforfurtherassessment/treatment(stretchersignalmaybe

necessary)

Asageneralguide,therestartshouldnotbedelayedformorethanabout20-25secondsbeyondthepointwheneveryonewasreadyforplaytorestart.

Therefereemustmakefullallowanceforthestoppage.

the laws of the game 2016/17 - meadowridgeafc.co.za · football bodies football terms referee terms...

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