Laws of the Game 2017/18
Law changes
Practical Guideline changes
The International Football Association Board
March 2017
The International Football Association Board
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Outline summary of Law changes 2017/18
Herewithasimpleoutlineofthemainchanges/clarifications.
ALLLAWS
Replace‘infringement/infringe’etc.with‘offence/offend’etc.
•
LAW1–THEFIELDOFPLAY
Artificialturfmaybeusedforthelinesonagrassfieldifnotdangerous
•
LAW3–THEPLAYERS
NationalFAscanallowamaximumoffivesubstitutions(exceptatthetoplevel)
•
NationalFAscannowallowreturnsubstitutionsinyouth,veteransanddisability
•
football
Clearerwordingforthesubstitutionprocedure
•
Asubstitutionmadeathalf-timewithoutinformingrefereeisnotacaution(YC)offence
•
Changingthegoalkeeperathalf-timewithoutinformingtherefereeisnotacaution(YC)
•
Playerwhoentersthefieldofplaywithoutthereferee’spermission(ifitisrequired)
•
andinterferesispunishedwithadirectfreekick(FK)
TeamscoringagoalwithanextrapersononthefieldispunishedwithadirectFK
•
LAW4–THEPLAYERS’EQUIPMENT
Goalkeepercapsarenotincludedinthelistofrestrictionsonheadcovers
•
Playersarenotpermittedtowear/useanyelectronicorcommunicationequipment,
•
exceptelectronicperformanceandtrackingsystems/EPTS);technicalstaffmayonlyuse
communicationequipmentforsafety/welfareissues
AllEPTSequipmentmustbearaminimumsafetystandardmark
•
LAW5–THEREFEREE
Importantstatementthatdecisionsmadebymatchofficialsmustalwaysberespected
•
NationalFAscanallowtemporarydismissals(sinbins)forsome/allcautions(YC)in
•
youth,veterans,disabilityandgrassrootsfootball(Guidelinesforbothsystemswillbe
published)
Amedicalofficialguiltyofadismissibleoffencemaystay/treatplayersifnoother
•
medicalpersonisavailablefortheteam
•
LAW7–THEDURATIONOFTHEMATCH
Ashortdrinksbreakispermittedathalf-timeofextratime
•
LAW8–THESTARTANDRESTARTOFPLAY
Kickercanstandintheopponents’halfatthekick-off
•
LAW10–DETERMININGTHEOUTCOMEOFAMATCH
Extratimemustbetwoequalperiods,maximum15minuteseach
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Kicksfromthepenaltymark(KFPM)
Correctedwordingforgoalkeeperwhoisunabletocontinue
•
Excludedplayermayreplaceagoalkeeperevenifteamhasusedallitspermitted
•
substitutes
Kickermaynotplaytheballasecondtime
•
Agoalkeeperwhooffendsandthepenaltyhastoberetakenmustbecautioned(YC)
•
Ifthekickeroffendsthekickisforfeited(recordedas‘missed’)
•
Ifthegoalkeeperandkickeroffendatthesametime:
•
o retakeandtwocautions(YCs)ifnogoalisscored
o ifagoalisscoredthekickeriscautioned(YC)andkickrecordedas‘missed’
LAW11–OFFSIDE
Anoffsideplayercanbepenalisediftheballrebounds/deflectsoffamatchofficial
•
Additionof‘attemptsto’tothedefinitionofa‘save’
•
Offsideguidance:
•
o playerinoffsidepositionwhoimpedesanopponentmustbepenalised
o playerinoffsidepositionwhoisfouledbeforecommittinganoffsideoffence–foul
penalised
o playerinoffsidepositionwhoisfouledwhenalreadycommittinganoffsideoffence
–offsidepenalised
LAW12–FOULSANDMISCONDUCT
VerbaloffencesarepunishedwithanindirectFK
•
Ifanadvantageisplayedforasending-off(RC)andtheplayercommitsanotheroffence,
•
thatoffenceispenalised
Aplayer‘stoppingapromisingattack’inthepenaltyareaisnotcautioned(YC)ifthe
•
offencewasanattempttoplaytheball
Additiontolistofcautions(YCs)fora‘denyinganobviousgoal-scoringopportunity’
•
(DOGSO)offenceinthepenaltyareawhichwasanattempttoplaytheball
Caution(YC)forgoalcelebrationwhichcausessafety/securityissue
•
Ifplayermovesdiagonallytopassthelastdefender/goalkeeperthiscanstillbea
•
DOGSO
ClearerDOGSOwordingforapenaltyareaoffencewhichisanattempttoplaytheball
•
EnteringthefieldofplaywithoutpermissionandstoppingagoalorDOGSOisasending•
off
Off-fieldoffenceby/againstaplayerinvolvingopposingplayer/substitute/teamofficial
•
(oragainstamatchofficial)ispenalisedbyFKontheboundarylineiftheballisinplay
DirectFKforthrowingorkickingball/objectontothefieldtointerferewith
•
play/someone
DirectFKonboundarylineforthrowingorkickingball/objectatsomeoneoffthefield
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LAW13–FREEKICKS
AttackerinorenteringthepenaltyareabeforeadefensiveFKhaslefttheareacannot
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playorchallengefortheballuntilithasbeentouchedbyanotherplayer
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LAW14–THEPENALTYKICK
Kickermustbeclearlyidentified
•
Ifthegoalkeeperandkickeroffendatthesametime:
•
o retakeandtwocautions(YCs)ifnogoalisscored
o ifagoalisscoredthekickeriscautioned(YC)andkickrecordedas‘missed’(see
Law10)
Goalcanbeawardedafteroutsideinterferenceiftheballstillgoesinthegoal
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LAW16–THEGOALKICK
Attackerenteringthepenaltyareacannotplayorchallengefortheballuntilitis
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touchedbyanotherplayer
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Details of all Law changes 2017/18
ThefollowingarethechangestotheLawsoftheGamefor2017/18.Foreachchangetheold
wording(whereappropriate)andthenew/changed/additionalwordingaregiven,followed
byanexplanationforthechange.
The text shown in the ‘old text’ boxes may be the exact previous text or a more general
outlineofthemeaningoftheprevioustext.
ALLLAWS
Offencesandinfringements
Manylanguagesdonothavedifferentwordsfor‘offence’and‘infringement’,thedifferenceis
notclearlyunderstood(evenbyEnglishexperts)andtheiruseinconsistente.g.aplayercan
be an ‘offender’ but not an ‘infringer’. To make the Laws clearer and to assist translation,
‘offence’and‘offend’replace‘infringement’and‘infringe’.
LAW1–THEFIELDOFPLAY
Fieldmarkings
Additionaltext
The field of play must be rectangular and marked with continuous lines which must not be
dangerous; artificial playing surface material may be used for the field markings on natural
fieldsifitisnotdangerous
Explanation
Artificial‘turf’(orsimilar)canbeusedforlinemarkingsongrassfieldsifitisnotdangerous.
LAW3–THEPLAYERS
2.Numberofsubstitutions
Officialcompetitions
Oldtext
A maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an official competition
organisedundertheauspicesofFIFA,confederationsornationalfootballassociations.
Newtext
Thenumberofsubstitutes,uptoamaximumoffive,whichmaybeusedinanymatchplayedin
an official competition will be determined by FIFA, the confederation or the national football
associationexceptforMenandWomencompetitionsinvolvingthe1stteamsofclubsinthetop
divisionorsenior‘A’internationalteams,wherethemaximumisthreesubstitutes.
Explanation
FIFA, confederations and national football associations can allow up to a maximum of five
substitutesinallcompetitionsexceptatthehighestlevel.
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Returnsubstitutions
Oldtext
The use of return substitutions is only permitted in the lowest levels
•
(grassroots/recreation) of football, subject to the agreement of the national football
association.
Newtext
The use of return substitutions is only permitted in youth, veterans, disability and
•
grassrootsfootball,subjecttotheagreementofthenationalfootballassociation,confederation
orFIFA.
Explanation
The use of return substitutions, which are already allowed in grassroots football, has been
extendedtoyouth,veteransanddisabilityfootball(subjecttopermissionofthenationalFA).
Substitutionprocedure
Oldtext
The substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play; from that
•
momentthesubstitutebecomesaplayerandthereplacedplayerbecomesasubstitutedplayer.
Substitutescantakeanyrestartprovidedtheyfirstenterthefieldofplay.
Newtext
Thesubstitutioniscompletedwhenasubstituteentersthefieldofplay;fromthatmoment,the
replacedplayerbecomesasubstitutedplayerandthesubstitutebecomesaplayerandcantake
anyrestart.
Explanation
Clearerwording.
Substitutionprocedure
Additionaltext
Ifasubstitutionismadeduringthehalf-timeintervalorbeforeextratime,theproceduremust
be completed before the match restarts. If the referee is not informed, the named substitute
may continue to play, no disciplinary action is taken and the matter is reported to the
appropriateauthorities.
Explanation
Clarifies that a substitution made at these times without informing the referee is not a
cautionable(YC)offence.
Offencesandsanctions
Additionaltext
Ifaplayerchangesplaceswiththegoalkeeperwithoutthereferee’spermission,thereferee:
allowsplaytocontinue
•
cautions both players when the ball is next out of play but not if the change occurred
•
duringhalf-time(includingextratime)ortheperiodbetweentheendofthematchandthe
startofextratimeand/orkicksfromthepenaltymark
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Explanation
Clarifiesthatchangingplaceswiththegoalkeeperatthesetimeswithouttherefereebeing
informedisnotacautionable(YC)offence.
Playeroutsidethefieldofplay
Oldtext
If, after leaving the field of play with the referee’s permission, a player re-enters without the
referee’spermission,therefereemust:
stop play (not immediately if the player does not interfere with play orif the advantage
•
canbeapplied)
cautiontheplayerforenteringthefieldofplaywithoutpermission
•
ordertheplayertoleavethefieldofplay(ifnecessary)
•
Iftherefereestopsplay,itmustberestarted:
withanindirectfreekickfromthepositonoftheballwhenplaywasstopped
•
inaccordancewithLaw12iftheplayerinfringesthisLaw
•
Additionalandamendedtext
Ifaplayerwhorequiresthereferee’spermissiontore-enterthefieldofplayre-enterswithout
thereferee’spermission,therefereemust:
stopplay(notimmediatelyiftheplayerdoesnotinterferewithplayoramatchofficialor
•
iftheadvantagecanbeapplied)(…)
cautiontheplayerforenteringthefieldofplaywithoutpermission
•
ordertheplayertoleavethefieldofplay(ifnecessary)
•
Iftherefereestopsplay,itmustberestarted:
withadirectfreekickfromthepositionoftheinterference
•
withanindirectfreekickfromthepositionoftheballwhenplaywasstoppediftherewas
•
nointerference
inaccordancewithLaw12iftheplayerinfringesthisLaw
•
Explanation
A player who re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission (when
•
required)andinterfereswiththegameisnowpunishedwithadirectfreekick(asfora
substitute/teamofficial)
It is unnecessary to require the offending player to leave the field of play after the
•
caution(YC).
Goalscoredwithanextrapersononthefieldofplay
Oldtext
If,afteragoalisscored,therefereerealises,beforeplayrestarts,anextrapersonwasonthe
fieldofplaywhenthegoalwasscored:
therefereemustdisallowthegoaliftheextrapersonwas:
• a player, substitute, substituted player, sent off player or team official of the team that
scoredthegoal(…)
Playisrestartedwithagoalkick,cornerkickordroppedball.
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NewText
If,afteragoalisscored,therefereerealises,beforeplayrestarts,anextrapersonwasonthe
fieldofplaywhenthegoalwasscored:
therefereemustdisallowthegoaliftheextrapersonwas:
a player, substitute, substituted player, sent off player or team official of the team that
•
scored the goal; play is restarted with a direct free kick from the position of the extra
person(…)
Explanation
ThismakestheLawconsistentwiththe2016/17changewhichpenalisesasubstitute/team
officialwhoentersthefieldofplaywithoutpermissionwithadirectfreekick.
LAW4–THEPLAYERS’EQUIPMENT
Otherequipment-headcovers
Additionaltext
Whereheadcovers(excludinggoalkeepers’caps)areworn,theymust:(…)
Explanation
Clarifiesthatgoalkeepers’capsarenotincludedinthelistofrestrictionsonheadcovers.
Otherequipment-electroniccommunication
Oldtext
Theuseofanyformofelectroniccommunicationbetweenplayers(including
substitutes/substitutedandsentoffplayers)and/ortechnicalstaffisnotpermitted.
Newtext
Players(includingsubstitutes/substitutedandsentoffplayers)arenotpermittedtowearor
useanyformofelectronicorcommunicationequipment(exceptwhereEPTSisallowed).The
useofanyformofelectroniccommunicationbyteamofficialsisnotpermittedexceptwhereit
directlyrelatestoplayerwelfareorsafety.
Explanation
•
ThenewwordingmakesitcompletelyclearthatapartfromEPTSdevices,playersmust
notuseorwearanyformofelectronicequipmentorcommunicationequipment(e.g.
camera,microphone,earpieceetc.).Thisistopreservetheintegrityofthegamesothat
noonecancommunicatewithplayersduringthematch,exceptthe‘transparent’verbal
tacticalinformationfromcoaches.
•
Playersafetyisveryimportantsoelectroniccommunicationispermittedforthesafety
andwelfareoftheplayerse.g.usingalapelmicrophonetoaskforastretcher,
ambulanceorusingassessmentequipment(e.g.iPad)foraheadinjury.
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Otherequipment-electronicperformanceandtrackingsystems(EPTS)
Additionaltext
Wherewearabletechnology(WT)aspartofelectronicperformanceandtrackingsystems
(EPTS)isusedinmatchesplayedinanofficialcompetitionorganisedundertheauspicesof
FIFA,confederationsornationalfootballassociations,thetechnologyattachedtotheplayer’s
equipmentmustbearthefollowingmark:
Thismarkindicatesthatithasbeenofficiallytestedandmeetstheminimumsafety
requirementsoftheInternationalMatchStandarddevelopedbyFIFAand
approvedbyTheIFAB.Theinstitutesconductingthetestsaresubjecttothe
approvalofFIFA.Thetransitionperiodrunsuntil31May2018.
Explanation
It is important that any EPTS used by players is certified as having satisfied established
minimum safety criteria. This requirement is compulsory as from 1 June 2017; systems
alreadyinusehaveatransitionperiodforcompliancewhichendson31May2018.
LAW5–THEREFEREE
Decisionsofthereferee
Additionaltext
Thedecisionsoftherefereeregardingfactsconnectedwithplay,includingwhetherornota
goalisscoredandtheresultofthematch,arefinal.Thedecisionsofthereferee,andallother
matchofficials,mustalwaysberespected.
Explanation
It is a fundamental principle of football that match officials’ decisions must always be
respected(evenwhentheyareincorrect).
Disciplinaryaction
Additionaltext
Thereferee(…)
has the power to show yellow or red cards and, where competition rules permit,
•
temporarilydismissaplayer,fromenteringthefieldatthestartofthematchuntilafter
thematch(…)
Explanation
National FAs may now allow temporary dismissals in youth, veterans, disability and
grassrootsfootball.
Disciplinaryaction
Additionaltext
Thereferee(…)
takesactionagainstteamofficialswhofailtoactinaresponsiblemannerandmayexpel
•
them from the field of play and its immediate surrounds; a medical team official who
commits a dismissible offence may remain if the team has no other medical person
available,andactifaplayerneedsmedicalattention.
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Explanation
A team’s medical person who should be dismissed from the technical area is allowed to
remainandtreatinjuredplayersiftheteamdoesnothaveanothermedicalpersonavailable.
LAW7–THEDURATIONOFTHEMATCH
Half-timeinterval
Additionaltext
Playersareentitledtoanintervalathalf-time,notexceeding15minutes;ashortdrinksbreak
ispermittedattheintervalofhalf-timeinextratime.
Explanation
Considerationofplayers’welfaremeansthatitissensibletoallowtheplayersaquickdrinks
breakatthehalf-timeintervalinextratime;thebreakisnotforcoachingpurposes.
LAW8–THESTARTANDRESTARTOFPLAY
Thekick-off
Additionaltext
Foreverykick-off:
all players, except the player taking the kick-off, must be in their own half of the field of
•
play
(…)
agoalmaybescoreddirectlyagainsttheopponentsfromthekick-off;iftheballdirectly
•
entersthekicker’sgoal,acornerkickisawardedtotheopponents
Explanation
The ‘new’ kick-off (ball played backwards) is popular but often the kicker has to step
•
intotheopponents’halftotakethekick;thenewwordingallowsthis.
It is a corner kick to the opponents if the kick-off goes directly into the kicker’s own
•
goal.
LAW10–DETERMININGTHEOUTCOMEOFAMATCH
Winningteam
Additionaltext
When competition rules require a winning team after a drawn match or home-and-away tie,
theonlypermittedprocedurestodeterminethewinningteamare:
awaygoalsrule
•
twoequalperiodsofextratimenotexceeding15minuteseach
•
kicksfromthepenaltymark
•
Acombinationoftheaboveproceduresmaybeused.
Explanation
Clarifiesthattheremustbetwoequalperiodsofextratimeofnomorethan15minuteseach
andthatacombinationofdifferentmethodstodeterminethewinnerispermitted.
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KicksfromthePenaltyMark
Playerseligibleforkicksfromthepenaltymark(KFPM)
Oldtext
Withtheexceptionofasubstituteforaninjuredgoalkeeper,(…)
•
Newtext
Withtheexceptionofasubstituteforagoalkeeperwhoisunabletocontinue,(…)
•
Explanation
WordingchangedtobethesameasinanotherpartofLaw10.
0
Playerseligibleforkicksfromthepenaltymark(KFPM)
Oldtext
Agoalkeeperwhoisunabletocontinuebeforeorduringthekicksandwhoseteamhasnot
•
used its maximum permitted number of substitutes, may be replaced by a named
substitute, or a player excluded to equalise the number of players, but takes no further
partandmaynottakeakick
Newtext
A goalkeeper who is unable to continue before or during the kicks may be replaced by a
•
player excluded to equalise the number of players or, if their team has not used its
maximum permitted number of substitutes, a named substitute, but the replaced
goalkeepertakesnofurtherpartandmaynottakeakick
Explanation
Clarifiesthat:
a player who has been excluded to equalise the numbers can replace the goalkeeper
•
eveniftheteamhasusedallitssubstitutes
agoalkeeperwhoisreplacedhasendedtheirinvolvementintheKFPM.
•
Whenakickiscompleted
Additionaltext
Thekickiscompletedwhentheballstopsmoving,goesoutofplayortherefereestopsplay
•
foranyoffence;thekickermaynotplaytheballasecondtime
Explanation
Clarifiesthatthekickercannotplaytheballasecondtime.
Offencebythegoalkeeper
Additionaltext
Ifthegoalkeepercommitsanoffenceand,asaresult,thekickisretaken,thegoalkeeper
•
mustbecautioned.
Explanation
Clarifiesthatagoalkeeperwhooffendsandcausesaretakemustbecautioned(YC).
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Offencebythekicker
Additionaltext
Ifthekickerispenalisedforanoffencecommittedaftertherefereehassignalledforthe
•
kicktobetaken,thatkickisrecordedasmissedandthekickeriscautioned.
Explanation
Clarifiesthatifthekickeroffendsthekickisforfeited(recordedas‘missed’)i.e.noretake.
Offencebythegoalkeeperandkicker
Additionaltext
Ifboththegoalkeeperandkickercommitanoffenceatthesametime:
•
o ifthekickismissedorsaved,thekickisretakenandbothplayerscautioned
o if the kick is scored, the goal is disallowed, the kick is recorded as missed and the
kickercautioned
Explanation
Clarifiestheoutcomewhenboththegoalkeeperandkickeroffendatthesametime,whichis
a rare situation as usually one will have offended first. There are different outcomes
because:
if the kick is missed/saved (because of the goalkeeper’s offence) both players have
•
committedacautionable(YC)offencesobotharecautioned(YC)andthekickisretaken
ifthegoalisscored,thegoalkeeperhasnotcommittedacautionable(YC)offencebutas
•
thekicker’soffenceiscautionable(YC)itis‘moreserious’(seeLaw5)andispenalised.
LAW11–OFFSIDE
Offsidepositionfromrebound
Additionaltext
Aplayerinanoffsidepositionatthemomenttheballisplayedortouchedbyateam-mateis
onlypenalisedonbecominginvolvedinactiveplayby:
gaininganadvantagebyplayingtheballorinterferingwithanopponentwhenithas:
•
o reboundedorbeendeflectedoffthegoalpost,crossbar,matchofficialoranopponent
Explanation
Clarifiesthatiftheballreboundsorisdeflectedoffamatchofficialtoaplayerwhowasinan
offsideposition,thatplayercanbepenalisedforanoffsideoffence. Definitionof‘save’
Additionaltext
A‘save’iswhenaplayerstops,orattemptstostop,aballwhichisgoingintoorverycloseto
their goal with any part of the body except the hands (unless the goalkeeper within their
penaltyarea).
Explanation
Moreaccuratedefinitionofa‘save’.
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Offsideoffence
Additionaltext
Insituationswhere:
• aplayermovingfrom,orstandingin,anoffsidepositionisinthewayofanopponentand
interfereswiththemovementoftheopponenttowardstheballthisisanoffsideoffenceifit
impactsontheabilityoftheopponenttoplayorchallengefortheball;iftheplayermoves
into the way of an opponent and impedes the opponent’s progress (e.g. blocks the
opponent)theoffenceshouldbepenalisedunderLaw12.
• aplayerinanoffsidepositionismovingtowardstheballwiththeintentionofplayingthe
ballandisfouledbeforeplayingorattemptingtoplaytheball,orchallenginganopponent
fortheball,thefoulispenalisedasithasoccurredbeforetheoffsideoffence
• an offence is committed against a player in an offside position who is already playing or
attempting to play the ball, or challenging an opponent for the ball, the offside offence is
penalisedasithasoccurredbeforethefoulchallenge
Explanation
Clarificationofsituationswhere:
• aplayerinanoffsidepositionawayfromtheballcommitsanoffencewhichimpactson
theabilityofthedefender(s)toplayorchallengefortheball
• anoffenceiscommittedagainstaplayerwhoisinanoffsideposition.
LAW12–FOULSANDMISCONDUCT
Indirectfreekicks
Additionaltext
Anindirectfreekickisawardedifaplayer:
(…)
•
isguiltyofdissent,usingoffensive,insultingorabusivelanguageand/orgesturesorother
•
verbaloffences
(…)
•
Explanation
Clarifiesthatverbal/gestureoffencesarepunishedwithanindirectfreekickevenifthereis
acaution(YC)orsending-off(RC);somehavewronglyinterpretedthedirectfreekickfora
‘offences against a match official’ to include dissent etc. but it only applies to physical
offences.
Advantageafteraredcard
Additionaltext
Advantageshouldnotbeappliedinsituationsinvolvingseriousfoulplay,violentconductora
secondcautionableoffenceunlessthereisaclearopportunitytoscoreagoal.(…)iftheplayer
playstheballorchallenges/interfereswithanopponent,therefereewillstopplay,sendoffthe
player and restart with an indirect free kick, unless the player committed a more serious
offence.
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Explanation
Clarifies that if a player commits a sending-off (RC) offence and the referee plays the
advantage,iftheplayerthencommitsanotheroffenceitshouldbepenalisede.g.theplayer
foulsanopponent.
Cautionsforunsportingbehaviour
Additionaltext
Therearedifferentcircumstanceswhenaplayermustbecautionedforunsportingbehaviour,
includingifaplayer:
commits a foul or handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack except
•
wheretherefereeawardsapenaltykickforanoffencewhichwasanattempttoplaythe
ball
Explanation
Removalofacaution(YC)forstoppingapromisingattackwhenapenaltykickisawarded
foranoffencewhichwasanattempttoplaytheballisconsistentwithacaution(YC),nota
sending-off (RC) if the referee awards a penalty kick for a DOGSO offence which is an
attempttoplaytheball..
Cautionsforunsportingbehaviour
Additionaltext
Therearedifferentcircumstanceswhenaplayermustbecautionedforunsportingbehaviour,
includingifaplayer:
denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by an offence which was an
•
attempttoplaytheballandtherefereeawardsapenaltykick
Explanation
AsaDOGSOoffenceinthepenaltyareainvolvinganattempttoplaytheballisnowpunished
withacaution(YC)andnotasending-off(RC)thisoffenceisaddedtothelistofcautionable
(YC)offences.
Celebrationofagoal
Additionaltext
Aplayermustbecautionedfor:
climbing onto a perimeter fence and/or approaching the spectators in a manner which
•
causessafetyand/orsecurityissues
gesturingoractinginaprovocative,derisoryorinflammatoryway
•
Explanation
Anyactionwhichcausessafety/securityconcerns,orisprovocativeetc.mustbecautioned
(YC).
Sending-offoffences
Oldtext
Aplayer,substituteorsubstitutedplayerwhocommitsanyofthefollowingoffencesissentoff:
denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the
•
opponents’goalbyanoffencepunishablebyafreekick(unlessasoutlinedbelow).
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Newtext
Aplayer,substituteorsubstitutedplayerwhocommitsanyofthefollowingoffencesissentoff:
denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall
•
movementistowardstheoffender’sgoalbyanoffencepunishablebyafreekick(unlessas
outlinedbelow).
Explanation
Clarifiesthatdenyingagoalbycommittinganoffenceisasending-off(RC)offence.
•
Useof‘offender’clarifiesthetext,whichwaspotentiallymisleading/incorrect.
•
•
Use of ‘overall movement’ clarifies that if, in the final stage, the attacker moves
diagonally to go past a goalkeeper/defender an obvious goal-scoring opportunity can
stillexist.
Sending-offoffences
Oldtext
Whereaplayercommitsanoffenceagainstanopponentwithintheirownpenaltyareawhich
deniesanopponentanobviousgoal-scoringopportunityandtherefereeawardsapenaltykick,
theoffenderiscautionedunless:
theoffenceisholding,pullingorpushing;or
•
the offending player does not attempt to play the ball or there is no possibility for the
•
playermakingthechallengetoplaytheball;or
theoffenceisonewhichispunishablebyaredcardwhereveritoccursonthefieldofplay
•
(e.g.seriousfoulplay,violentconductetc.)
Newtext
Whereaplayercommitsanoffenceagainstanopponentwhichdeniesanopponentanobvious
goal-scoringopportunityandtherefereeawardsapenaltykick,theoffenderiscautionedifthe
offence was an attempt to play the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g. holding, pulling,
pushing,nopossibilitytoplaytheballetc.)theoffendingplayermustbesentoff.
Explanation
Clearerwording–nochangeintheLaworitsapplication.
DOGSObysomeoneenteringthefieldofplay
Additionaltext
A player, sent off player, substitute or substituted player who enters the field of play without
the required referee’s permission and interferes with play or an opponent and denies the
opposingteamagoaloranobviousgoal-scoringopportunityisguiltyofasending-offoffence.
Explanation
Clarifies that someone who enters the field of play without the referee’s permission
(includingwhenaplayerrequirespermissiontoreturntothefielde.g.afteraninjury)and
preventsagoal,ordeniesanobviousgoal-scoringopportunity,hascommittingasending-off
(RC)offence,evenifnootheroffenceiscommitted.
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Restartofplayafterfoulsandmisconduct
Oldtext
Iftheballisinplayandaplayercommitsanoffenceinsidethefieldofplayagainst:
(…)
•
ateammate,substitute,substitutedplayer,teamofficialormatchofficial–adirectfree
•
kickorpenaltykick(…)
Iftheballisinplayandaplayercommitsanoffenceoutsidethefieldofplay:
iftheplayerisalreadyoffthefieldofplay,playisrestartedwithadroppedball
•
iftheplayerleavesthefieldofplaytocommittheoffence,playisrestartedwithanindirect
•
freekickfromthepositionoftheballwhenplaywasstopped.However,ifaplayerleaves
the field of play as part of play and commits an offence against another player, play is
restarted with a free kick taken on the boundary line nearest to where the offence
occurred; for direct free kick offences, a penalty kick is awarded if this is within the
offender’spenaltyarea.
Newtext
Iftheballisinplayandaplayercommitsanoffenceinsidethefieldofplay:
(…)
•
a team mate, substitute, substitutedor sent offplayer, team official or match official – a
•
directfreekickorpenaltykick(…)
If,whentheballisinplay:
aplayercommitsanoffenceagainstamatchofficialoranopposingplayer,substitute,
•
substitutedorsentoffplayer,orteamofficialoutsidethefieldofplayor
asubstitute,substitutedorsentoffplayer,orteamofficialcommitsanoffenceagainst,or
•
interfereswith,anopposingplayerormatchofficialoutsidethefieldofplay,
playisrestartedwithafreekickontheboundarylinenearesttowherethe
offence/interferenceoccurred;apenaltykickisawardedifthisisadirectfreekickoffence
withintheoffender’spenaltyarea.
Explanation
It is a direct free kick if an offence is committed on the field of play against a sent-off
•
player.
Aplayerwhocommitsanoffenceagainstanopposingplayer/substitute/teamofficialor
•
matchofficialoffthefieldofplayispenalisedwithafreekickontheboundarylinee.g.a
playerstrikesanopposingsubstitute/teamofficial.
Asubstitute/teamofficialwhocommitsanoffenceagainstanopposingplayerormatch
•
official off the field is penalised with a free kick on the boundary line e.g. a substitute
strikesaplayerwaitingtoreturnafterinjuryortripsaplayerwhohastemporarilyleft
thefieldofplaytochasetheball.
ThisLawdoesnotapplyforoffencesbetweensubstitutesorteamofficial-itisonlyfor
•
anoffencebyoragainstoneoftheplayers.
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Throwingobjects
Oldtext
Offenceswhereanobject(ortheball)isthrown
If,whiletheballisinplay,aplayer,substituteorsubstitutedplayerthrowsanobject(including
theball)atanopponentandoranyotherpersontherefereemuststopplayandiftheoffence
was:
reckless-cautiontheoffenderforunsportingbehaviour
•
usingexcessiveforce-sendofftheoffenderforviolentconduct(…)
•
Ifaplayerstandingonoroffthefieldofplaythrowsanobjectatanopponent,playisrestarted
withadirectfreekickorpenaltykickfromthepositionwheretheobjectstruckorwouldhave
strucktheopponent.
Playisrestartedwithanindirectfreekickifa:
playerstandinginsidethefieldofplaythrowsanobjectatanypersonoutsidethefieldof
•
play
substituteorsubstitutedplayerthrowsanobjectstandinginsidethefieldofplay
•
Newtext
If a player standing on or off the field of play throws an object (including the ball) at an
opposingplayer,substitute,substitutedorsentoffplayer,orteamofficial,matchofficialorthe
ball,playisrestartedwithadirectfreekickfromthepositionwheretheobjectstuckorwould
havestruckthepersonortheball.Ifthispositionisoffthefieldofplay,thefreekickistakenon
thenearestpointontheboundaryline;apenaltykickisawardedifthisiswithintheoffender’s
penaltyarea
If a substitute, substituted or sent off player, player temporarily off the field of play or team
officialthrowsorkicksanobjectontothefieldofplayanditinterfereswithplay,anopponent
or match official, play is restarted with a direct free kick (or penalty kick) where the object
interferedwithplayorstruckorwouldhavestrucktheopponent,matchofficialortheball.
Inallcases,therefereetakestheappropriatedisciplinaryaction:
reckless-cautiontheoffenderforunsportingbehaviour
•
usingexcessiveforce-sendofftheoffenderforviolentconduct
•
Explanation
Ifaplayerthrowsanobjectatsomeoneoffthefieldofplaythefreekickisawardedon
•
theboundarylinenearesttowheretheobjecthitorwouldhavehittheperson;thiswill
beapenaltykickifwithintheoffender’spenaltyarea.
Theoutcome/impactofthrowingorkickinganobjectontothefieldofplayisthesame
•
asifthepersoncommittedtheoffencedirectly,sothepunishmentisthesame.
LAW13–FREEKICKS
Attackingplayerinorenteringthepenaltyarea
Additionalandamendedtext
If, when a free kick is taken quickly by the defending team from inside its penalty area, any
opponents are inside the penalty area because they did not have time to leave, the referee
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allowsplaytocontinue.Ifanopponentwhoisinthepenaltyareawhenthefreekickistaken,
orentersthepenaltyareabeforetheballisinplay,touchesorchallengesfortheballbeforeit
hastouchedanotherplayer,thefreekickisretaken.
Explanation
Thischangemakestherequirementsforadefensivefreekickinthepenaltyareaconsistent
withtherequirementsatagoalkick(Law16).
LAW14–THEPENALTYKICK
Identifyingthekicker
Oldtext
Theplayertakingthepenaltykickmustbeproperlyidentified.
Newtext
Theplayertakingthepenaltykickmustbeclearlyidentified.
Explanation
Clearertext.
Additionaltimeforapenaltykick
Additionaltext
Additionaltimeisallowedforapenaltykicktobetakenattheendofeachhalfofthematch
andextratime.Whenadditionaltimeisallowed,thepenaltykickiscompletedwhen,afterthe
kickhasbeentaken,theballstopsmoving,goesoutofplay,isplayedbyanyplayer(including
thekicker)otherthanthedefendinggoalkeeper,ortherefereestopsplayforanoffencebythe
kickerorthekicker’steam.Ifadefendingteamplayer(includingthegoalkeeper)commitsan
offenceandthepenaltyismissed/saved,thepenaltyisretaken.
Explanation
Clarifieswhenapenaltyiscompletedwhentimehasbeenextendedforthepenaltykickto
betaken.
Offencebygoalkeeperandkicker(seeLaw10)
Additionaltext
Ifboththegoalkeeperandkickercommitanoffenceatthesametime::
•
o ifthekickismissedorsaved,thekickisretakenandbothplayerscautioned
o ifthekickscored,thegoalisdisallowed,thekickeriscautionedandplayrestartswith
anindirectfreekicktothedefendingteam
Explanation
Clarifiestheoutcomewhenboththegoalkeeperandkickeroffendatthesametime,whichis
rare as usually one will have clearly been the first to offend. There are different outcomes
because:
if the kick is missed/saved (because of the goalkeeper’s offence) both players have
•
committedacautionable(YC)offence
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•
if a goal is scored the goalkeeper has notcommitted a cautionable (YC) offence but as
thekicker’soffenceiscautionable(YC)itis‘moreserious’(seeLaw5)andistherefore
penalised.
Interferencewithapenaltykick
Additionaltext
Theballistouchedbyanoutsideagentasitmovesforward:
the kick is retaken unless the ball is going into the goal and the interference does not
•
prevent the goalkeeper or a defending player playing the ball, in which case the goal is
awardediftheballentersthegoal(evenifcontactwasmadewiththeball)unlesstheball
enterstheopponents’goal.
Explanation
Clarifies what should happen if there is interference with a ball going into the goal at a
penaltykick.
LAW16–THEGOALKICK
Attackingplayerinorenteringthepenaltyarea
Additionaltext
Ifanopponentwhoisinthepenaltyareawhenthegoalkickistaken,orentersthepenaltyarea
beforetheballisinplay,touchesorchallengesfortheballbeforeithastouchedanotherplayer,
thegoalkickisretaken.
Explanation
Clarifiestheactiontobetakenifaplayerentersthepenaltyareabeforetheballisinplay.
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Practical Guidelines for Match Officials
Herewiththemainchanges.
Positioning,MovementandTeamwork
Kicksfromthepenaltymark
Additionaltext
(…)IfthereareAARs,theymustbepositionedateachintersectionofthegoallineandthegoal
area, to the right and left of the goal respectively, except where GLT is in use when only one
AARisrequired.AAR2andAR1shouldmonitortheplayersinthecentrecircleandAR2andthe
FourthOfficialshouldmonitorthetechnicalareas.
Explanation
OnlyoneAARisneeded(tomonitorthegoalkeeper’smovement)whenGLTisused.
Penaltykick
Correctedtext(anddiagram)
WherethereareAARs,theAARmustbepositionedattheintersectionofthegoallineandthe
goalarea(…)
Bodylanguage,CommunicationandWhistle
AssistantReferees
Cornerkick/goalkick
Oldtext
WhentheballwhollypassesoverthegoallineneartotheAR,asignalshouldbemadewith
therighthand(betterlineofvision)toindicatewhetheritisagoalkickoracornerkick.
When the ball wholly passes over the goal line the AR must raise the flag to inform the
refereethattheballisoutofplayandthenifitis:
• neartotheAR-indicatewhetheritisagoalkickoracornerkick.
• farfromtheAR-makeeyecontactandfollowthereferee’sdecision.TheARmayalso
makeadirectsignalifthedecisionisanobviousone.
Newtext
WhentheballwhollypassesoverthegoallinetheARraisestheflagwiththerighthand(better
lineofvision)toinformtherefereethattheballisoutofplayandthenifitis:
• neartotheAR-indicatewhetheritisagoalkickoracornerkick
• farfromtheAR-makeeyecontactandfollowthereferee’sdecision
WhentheballclearlypassesoverthegoallinetheARdoesnotneedtoraisetheflagtoindicate
thattheballhasleftthefieldofplay.Ifthegoalkickorcornerkickdecisionisobvious,itisnot
necessarytogiveasignal,especiallywhentherefereegivesasignal.
Explanation
The AR does not need to signal for a very clear goal kick or corner kick, especially if the
refereehasalreadysignalledand/ortheballgoesoutofplayontheoppositesideofthegoal
fromtheAR.
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