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The Laws of the Game are
determined by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), whose
membership is made up of representatives of FIFA and of the four ‘home’
associations: The F.A., Scottish F.A., F.A. of Wales and Irish F.A. This
reflects the original role Great Britain, and specifically England,
played in establishing the first set of Laws, which date from the
formation of The Football Association in 1863.
The
original Laws have changed only marginally over the years. Today’s 17
Laws continue to be based upon the rules that were first ratified by the
Board when it was founded in 1886. Changes have occurred in accordance
with the specific evolution and demands of modern-day football, but the
key element remains of football being seen as essentially a simple game,
with laws that can be applied in the same way at any level from the
World Cup Final to a friendly game on a local park.
1580
A
certain Giovanni Bardi published a set of rules of the game of "calcio".
1848/1849
The first Cambridge Rules are drawn up.
1877/1878
The associations in Great Britain formed to gain a uniform code.
1886/1887
2
June 1886: first official meeting of the International Football
Association Board.
1891/1892
Introduction of the penalty-kick.
1913/1914
FIFA becomes a member of the International F.A. Board.
1925/1926
Amendment of offside rule from three to two players.
1937-1938
The present Laws framed in a new system of codification but based on the
Laws previously in force.
1978/1979
Law XIII - Free Kick
A
free kick awarded to the defending team, within its own goal-area, may
be taken from any point within that half of the goal-area in which the
free kick has been awarded.
1979/1980
Law XIII - Free Kick
Decision by the IFAB: in order to distinguish between a direct and an
indirect free-kick, the referee, ..., shall indicate accordingly by
raising an arm above his head...
1980/1981
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
New offense: spitting at an opponent
Decision: the offence of spitting at officials and other persons, ...
shall be considered as violent conduct.
Law XIII - Free Kick
Taking a free-kick inside one's own penalty-area - the opposing team's
players shall be at least ten yards (9.15m) from the ball and shall
remain outside the penalty area until the ball has been kicked out of
the area.
Law XVI - Goal Kick
Opponents of the team taking the goal kick shall remain outside the
penalty-area until the ball has been kicked out of the penalty-area.
1981/1982
Law III - Number of Players
A
player who has been replaced shall not take any further part in the
game. A substitute shall be subject to the authority and jurisdiction of
the referee whether called upon to play or not.
Punishment: If a substitute enters the field of play without the
authority of the referee, play shall be stopped. The substitute shall be
cautioned and removed from the field or sent off according to the
circumstances. The game shall be restarted by the referee dropping the
ball at the place where it was when play was stopped.
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
A
player shall be sent off the field of play, if, in the opinion of the
referee, he:
-
Is guilty of violent conduct or serious
foul play
-
Uses foul or abusive language
-
Persists in misconduct after having
received a caution
1982/1983
Law VI – Linesmen
The linesmen are to indicate:
-
When the ball is out of play,
-
Which side is entitled to a corner-kick,
goal-kick or throw-in
-
When a substitution is desired
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
Introduction of the four-step rule:
...From the moment the ball comes under his (the goalkeeper's) control,
he takes more than four steps without releasing the ball into play and -
having released it - he touches the ball again before it has been
touched or played by another player...
1983/1984
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
Modification of the four-step rule:
...From the moment the ball comes under his (the goalkeeper's) control,
he takes more than four steps in any direction whilst holding,
bouncing or throwing the ball in the air and catching it again, without
releasing the ball into play or having released it into play before,
during or after the four steps - he touches it again with his hands
before it has been touched or played by another player...
1984/1985
Law VIII - The Start of Play
Drop-ball in the goal-area: on that part of the goal area line which
runs parallel to the goal-line, at the point nearest to where the ball
was in play when play was stopped.
Law XIII - Free Kick
An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team within its
opponent's goal area shall be taken from the part of the goal-area line
which runs parallel to the goal-line, at the point nearest where the
offence was committed.
1985/1986
In various Laws: drop-ball provision in goal-area (cf. 1984) also
extended to be consistent.
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
Modification of the four-step rule:
...From the moment the ball comes under his (the goalkeeper's) control,
he takes more than four steps in any direction whilst holding, bouncing
or throwing the ball in the air and catching it again, without releasing
the ball into play or having released it into play before, during or
after the four steps - he touches it again with his hands before it has
been touched or played by another player of the same team outside of the
penalty-area, or by a player of the opposing team either inside or
outside of the penalty-area.
1986/1987
Law III - Number of Players
The substitution is completed when the substitute enters the field of
play, from which moment he becomes a player and the player whom he
replaces ceases to be a player.
Law XIV - Penalty-Kick
The player taking the penalty-kick has to be properly identified.
1987/1988
Law VII - Duration of the Game (against time-wasting)
Allowance shall be made in either period for all the time lost through
substitution, the transport from the field of injured players,
time-wasting and other cause ...the amount of which shall be a matter
for the discretion of the referee.
Law XIV - Penalty-Kick
A
goal may be scored directly from a penalty-kick. When a penalty-kick is
taken in the normal course of play, or when time has been extended at
half-time or full-time to allow a penalty-kick to be taken or retaken, a
goal shall not be nullified if, before passing between the posts and
under the crossbar, the ball touches either or both of the goal-posts,
or the crossbar, or the goalkeeper or any combination of these agencies,
providing that no other infringement occurred.
(In addition to that several decisions by the Board in case of
encroachments)
Law XV - Throw-in
Decision: A throw-in taken from any position other than the point where
the ball passed over the touchline shall be considered to have been
improperly thrown in.
1988/1989
Law I - Decision:
The goalposts must be of white color.
Law III - Number of players:
Substitutes may be used under the rules of any official competition
under the jurisdiction of FIFA, Confederations or National Associations,
...
...A team shall not be permitted to use more than two substitutes from
more than five players...
1989/1990
Law IV - Players' equipment
(Codification of a practice) Footwear must be worn by players and
conform to the following standards: ...and pertinent decisions.
1990/1991
Law IV - Players' equipment (introduction of shin guards)
The basic compulsory equipment of a player shall consist of a jersey or
shirt, shorts, stockings, shin guards and footwear (plus pertinent
precisions regarding the shin guards.
Law XI - Off-side (being level)
A
player is in an off-side position ..., unless
-
(a) He is not nearer to his opponents
goal-line than at least two of his opponents
-
(b) if he receives the ball direct from
a goal-kick, a corner-kick or a throw-in.
Decision: A
player who is level with the second last opponent or with the last two
opponents is not in an off-side position.
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
Mandatory Instruction of the IFAB ("professional foul")
If, in the opinion of the referee, a player who is moving towards his
opponents' goal with an obvious opportunity to score a goal is
intentionally and physically impeded by unlawful means, i.e. an offence
punishable by a free-kick (or a penalty-kick), thus denying the
attacking player's team the aforesaid goal-scoring opportunity, the
offending player shall be sent off the field of play for serious foul
play in accordance with Law XII (n).
1991/1992
Extension of the above mandatory instruction from 1990 which was made an
official IFAB decision)
Decision: If,
in the opinion of the referee, a player, other than the goalkeeper
within his own penalty-area, denies his opponents a goal, or an obvious
goal scoring opportunity, by intentionally handling the ball, he shall
be sent off the field of play for serious foul play in accordance with
Law XII (n).
Decision regarding when the goalkeeper is in possession of the ball:
...Will be considered to be in control of the ball by touching it with
any part of his hands or arms. Possession of the ball would include the
goalkeeper intentionally parrying the ball, but would not include the
circumstances, where, in the opinion of the referee, the ball rebounds
accidentally from the goalkeeper, for example after he has made a save.
1992/1993
Law IV
Equipment must be in order.
Law V
-
Competence of referee from when he
enters the field of play to sanction any player guilty of misconduct
or ungentlemanly behavior.
-
Send off the field of play and show a
red card to any player, who, in his opinion, is guilty of violent
conduct, the use of foul or abusive language or who persists in
misconduct after having received a caution.
Back pass ruling: Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
On any occasion when a player deliberately kicks the ball to his own
goalkeeper, the goalkeeper is not permitted to touch it with his hands.
If, however, the goalkeeper does touch the ball with his hands, he shall
be penalized by the award of an indirect free-kick to be taken by the
opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred,...
Law XIII
Any free kick awarded to the defending team within its own goal-area,
may be taken from any point within the goal-area.
Law XVI
Goal-kick
To be taken from any point within the goal-area by a player of the
defending team.
1993/1994
Law V – Referee
Decision 13:
(Technical area) The coach may convey tactical instructions to players
during the match.
The coach and other officials, however, must remain within the confines
of the technical area where such an area is provided and they must
conduct themselves, at all times, in a responsible manner.
Decision 14:
(fourth official) In tournaments or competitions where a fourth official
is appointed, his roles and duties shall be in accordance with the
guidelines approved by the IFAB.
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
-
Further precision of the four-step rule
-
Further precision of time-wasting
tactics
Precision that a player is to be cautioned and shown the yellow card
as per the specific provisions. Precision that a player is to be sent
off the field and shown the red card, if in the opinion of the
referee, he:
-
Is guilty of violent conduct
-
Is guilty of serious foul play
-
Uses foul or abusive language
-
Is guilty of a second caution able
offence after having received a caution
Decision 18:
Subject to the terms of Law XII, a player may pass the ball to his own
goalkeeper using his head or chest or knee, etc. If, however, in the
opinion of the referee, a player uses a deliberate trick to circumvent
article 5 (c) of Law XII, the player will be guilty of ungentlemanly
conduct ...
1994/1995
Law I - The Field of Play
For safety reasons, the goals, including those, which are portable, must
be anchored securely to the ground.
Law III - Number of Players (substitute ruling 2 + 1)
...A team may also use a third substitute provided that he is designated
as a substitute goalkeeper, who may be used to replace only the
goalkeeper.
If, however, the goalkeeper is ordered off, the designated substitute
goalkeeper may subsequently replace another player of the same team and
play as goalkeeper.
1995/1996
Law III - Number of Players (three substitutes without restriction)
Up to a maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in
an official competition ..
Law VII - Duration of the Game
The half-time interval shall not exceed 15 minutes.
Law XI - Offside
It is not an offence in itself to be in an off-side position.
A
player shall only be penalized for being in an off-side position, if, at
the moment the ball touches, or is played by one of his team, he is, in
the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:
-
Interfering with play, or
-
Interfering with an opponent, or
-
Gaining an advantage by being in that
position.
Laws XII - re-editing of offences
Decisions 6, 7, 10 and 13 to punish various offences
Law XIV - Penalty-kick
A
penalty-kick shall be taken from the penalty-mark and, when it is being
taken, all players with the exception of the player taking the kick,
properly identified, and the opposing goalkeeper, shall be within the
field of play but outside the penalty-area, at least 10 yards, from the
penalty-mark and must stand behind the penalty-mark.
1996/1997
Law II - The Ball
As per requirements of FIFA Denominations as set forth in Decision 4 of
the IFAB
Law III - Number of Players
The rules of the competition shall state how many substitutes may be
nominated, from three up to a maximum of seven.
Law V – Referees
Decision 7:
(advantage clause) If the referee applies the advantage clause and the
advantage, which was anticipated, does not develop at that time, the
referee shall penalize the original offence.
Law VI - Assistant Referees (formerly Linesmen)
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
Provisions regarding offences that are punishable by a direct free kick
and if committed in the penalty-area by a penalty-kick; dangerous play
to be punished by an indirect free-kick.
1997/1998
Law IV - Players' Equipment
Now includes the statement: "If thermal shorts are worn they must be of
the same main colour as the shorts."
Law V - The Referees
"Any player bleeding from a wound must leave the field for treatment."
Law VIII - The Start and Restart of Play
"The team which wins the toss shall decide which goal it will attack in
the first half of the match. The other team shall take the kick-off."
"A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off."
"The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward."
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
An indirect free kick will be awarded if the goalkeeper handles the ball
after receiving it from a throw-in from his own team.
-
Unsporting behavior+ replaces?
Ungentlemanly conduct+ as a caution able offence.
-
Failing to respect the required distance
at a restart of play+ becomes a caution able offence.
-
Delaying the restart of play+ becomes a
caution able offence.
IFAB decisions 13 and 14, which relate to the prevention of obvious goal
scoring opportunities now become Law.
-
Using offensive, insulting or abusive
language - replaces foul or abusive language.
Binding instruction
The referee has to consider that the goalkeeper is wasting time and
therefore has to award an indirect free-kick against him, if he holds
the ball for longer than 5 - 6 seconds.
Law XIV - The Penalty Kick
The new text states "The goalkeeper remains on his own goal line, facing
the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked". The
phrase "without moving his feet" has been deleted.
Players who enter the penalty area before the ball has been kicked need
not now be cautioned.
Law XVI - The Goal Kick
"A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick."
1998/1999
Law IV - The Referee (new Decision 3)
Facts connected with play shall include whether a goal is scored or not
and the result of the match.
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
Indirect Free Kick
(new word order and additional bullet points)
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper,
inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following five offences:
-
Takes more than six seconds while
controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his
possession
-
Touches the ball again with his hands
after it has been released from his possession and has not touched any
other player
-
Touches the ball with his hands after it
has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate
-
Touches the ball with his hands after he
has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate
-
Wastes time
An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player,
in the opinion of the referee :
-
Plays in a dangerous manner
-
Impedes the progress of an opponent
-
Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing
the ball from his hands
-
Commits any other offence, not
previously mentioned in Law 12, for which play is stopped to caution
or dismiss a player.
Sending off offences (rewording of the fourth offence)
-
Denies the opposing team a goal or an
obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball
(this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area).
Decision 3 (last sentence added to the present text)
The goalkeeper is considered to be guilty of time wasting if he holds
the ball in his hands or arms for more than 5-6 seconds.
New Decision 5
A
tackle from behind which endangers the safety of an opponent must be
sanctioned as serious foul play.
Acts of serious foul play are punishable by a red card.
Law XIV - The Penalty Kick
(additional bullet points)
A team-mate of the player
taking the kick enters the penalty area or moves in front of or within
9.5 m (10 yds) of the penalty mark:
-
The referee allows the kick to proceed
-
If the ball enters the goal, the kick is
retaken
-
If the ball does not enter the goal, the
kick is not retaken
-
If the ball rebounds from the
goalkeeper, the crossbar or the goal post and is touched by this
player, the referee stops play and restarts the match with an indirect
free kick to the defending team.
Kicks from the Penalty Mark
(procedure - new text)
-
The goalkeeper who is the team mate of
the kicker must remain on the field of play, outside the penalty area
in which the kicks are being taken, on the goal line where it meets
the penalty area boundary line
Other decisions taken by the International F.A. Board (procedure - new
text)
-
Method of injured
players leaving the field of play
The Board reiterated that if an injured player is able to walk off the
field of play, he should be encouraged to do so, especially if close
to the boundary lines (it is therefore unnecessary to carry him off
the field of play on a stretcher in these circumstances).
The Board also confirmed that
when returning to the field of play, an injured player can enter the
field from any point on the boundary lines if the ball is out of play.
If the ball is in play, the player may only re-enter the field of play
from a touchline. In each case he must await the referee's signal.
1999/2000
Law IX - The Referee
(amendment to point 3 Powers and Duties)
Ensures that any ball used meets the requirements of Law 2.
Law XII - Fouls and Misconduct
(New Decision 6)
Any simulation action anywhere on the field, which is intended to
deceive the referee, must be sanctioned as unsporting behavior.
Forth Official
(new wording 6th point)
He has the authority to check the equipment of substitutes before they
enter the field of play. If their equipment does not comply within the
Laws of the Game, he informs the referee.
New Point 7:
He has the authority to inform the referee of irresponsible behavior by
any occupant of the technical area
2000/2001
Law I – The Field of Play
New Decision 4:
(Present Decisions 4 and 5 become Decisions 5 and 6 respectively)
There shall be no advertising of any kind within the technical area or
within one meter from the touch line and outside the field of play on
the ground.
Further, no advertising shall be allowed in the area between the goal
line and the goal nets.
Law III - The Number of
Players
New text:
Other matches:
In other matches, substitutes may be used provided that
The
teams concerned reach an agreement on a maximum number
The
referee is informed before the match
If the referee is not informed, or if no agreement is reached before the
start of the match, no more than three substitutes are allowed.
Law III – The Number of
Players
New Decision 2:
The coach may convey tactical instructions to the players during the
match and he must return to his position immediately after giving these
instructions. He and the other officials must remain within the confines
of the technical area, where such an area is provided, and they must
behave in a responsible manner.
Law VI – The Assistant
Referees
New text:
Duties:
Two assistant referees are appointed whose duties, subject to the
decision of the referee, are to indicate:
-
When the whole of the ball has passed
out of the field of play
-
Which side is entitled to a corner kick,
goal kick or throw-in
-
When a player may be penalized for being
in an offside position
-
When a substitution is requested
-
When misconduct or any other incident
has occurred out of the view of the referee
-
When offences have been committed
whenever the assistants are closer to the action than the referee
(this includes, in particular circumstances, offences committed in the
penalty area)
-
Whether, at penalty kicks, the
goalkeeper has moved forward before the ball has been kicked and if
the ball has crossed the line
Assistance:
The assistant referees also assist the referee to control the match in
accordance with the Laws of the Game. In particular, they may enter
the field of play to help control the 9.15m distances.
Law XII – Fouls and
Misconduct (new
text)
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper,
inside his own penalty area, commits the following offence:
-
Takes more than six seconds while
controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his
possession
(Rest of text unchanged)
Sending-off offences
(new text)
-
Uses offensive or insulting or abusive
language and/or gestures
Reason:
A player may now be sent off
if, in the opinion of the referee, he is guilty of using language or
gestures, which are offensive or insulting or abusive. The referee must
take into account the severity of the offence.
He continues to have the
authority to decide whether, in his opinion, a player’s unacceptable
language or gestures are to be deemed a sending-off offence.
Kicks from the Penalty Mark:
(New bullet points)
-
When a team finishes the match with a
greater number of players than their opponents, they shall reduce
their numbers to equate with that of their opponents and inform the
referee of the name and number of each player excluded. The team
captain has this responsibility.
-
Before the start of kicks from the
penalty mark the referee shall ensure that only an equal number of
players from each team remain within the center circle and they shall
take the kicks
Fourth Official...
(Amendments to
bullet point)
-
The Fourth Official assists the referee
at all times. He must indicate to the referee when the wrong player is
cautioned because of mistaken identity or when a player is not sent
off having been seen to be given a second caution or when violent
conduct occurs out of the view of the referee and assistant referees.
The referee, however, retains the authority to decide on all points
connected with play.
2001/2002
AMENDMENTS TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME FOR SEASON 2001/2002
All amendments and decisions must be enforced from 1 July 2001
The 115th Annual Meeting of the International Football Association Board
was held in Edinburgh, Scotland on 1Oth March 2001. The amendments to
the Laws of the Game and various instructions and directives are listed
below.
1. AMENDMENTS TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME
NOTES ON THE LAWS OF THE GAME
New text:
Modifications:
Subject to the agreement of the nationals associations concerned and
provided the principles of these Laws are maintained, the Laws may be
modified in their application for matches for players of under 16 years
of age, for women footballers, for veteran footballers (over 35 years)
and for
players with disabilities.
Reason: This
change recognizes the large number of players with disabilities who play
football and permits appropriate modifications to the Laws to enable
them to take part in officially organized competitions.
LAW 3 - THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS
New text:
Decisions of the International FA Board
Decision 2:
A
team official
may convey tactical instructions to the players during the match and
must return to his position after doing so.
All team
officials
must remain within the confines of the technical area, where such an
area is provided and they must behave in a responsible manner.
Reason:
The new text recognizes that tactical instructions may be given by
different team officials during the match provided the person returns to
his or her position after giving these instructions and behaves in a
responsible manner. The statement that the team official must return
immediately to his or her position has been removed.
LAW 12 - FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
New text:
Indirect free kick
Delete bullet point 5
Wastes time
Decisions of the International FA Board
Decision 3
Delete the final paragraph:
The goalkeeper is considered to be guilty of time-wasting if he holds
the ball in his hands or arms for more than 5-6 seconds.
Reason:
Both texts are no longer necessary because of the alteration to Law 12
in 2000 which stated that a goalkeeper is permitted to control the ball
with his hands or arms for up to six seconds
Disciplinary Sanctions
New text:
Only a player or substitute or substituted player may be shown the red
or yellow card.
Reason:
This clarifies the use of red and yellow cards
Sending Off Offences
To be added after Sending Off Offence No.7
A
player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of
play and the technical area.
Reason:
This clarifies the situation for players who have been sent off.
Decisions of the International FA Board
Decision 1
Delete. The decisions 2 to 6 became decisions 1 to 5 respectively.
Reason:
This confirms the sanction to be taken as stated in the Question and
Answers Book on the laws of the Game, when an object is thrown at an
opponent from a distance.
KICKS FROM THE PENALTY MARK
New title:
PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE THE WINNER OF A MATCH
The
Golden Goal and
taking kicks from the penalty mark
are methods
of determining the winning team where competition rules require there to
be a winning team after a match has been drawn.
The Golden Goal
Procedure
During the period of extra time played at the end of normal playing
time, the team which scores the first goal is declared the winner
-
If no goals are scored the match is decided by kicks from the penalty
mark
Kicks from the Penalty Mark
Procedure
Text remains unchanged
Reason:
To formally recognize the approval by the International F.A. Board of
the Golden Goal as one of the possible procedures to determine the
winner of the match.
2. INFORMATION, INSTRUCTIONS AND DIRECTIVES
Holding and Pulling
The International FA Board expresses its concern at the amount of
holding and pulling which was prevalent in football today. It recognized
that not every instance of holding and pulling of jerseys and shorts was
unsporting behavior, as is also the case with deliberate handball. It
expressed regret, however, that referees were not applying the Laws
fully in dealing with blatant cases of holding and pulling and issued
the following Mandatory
Instruction:
Referees are instructed that, in the case of blatant holding and
pulling, the offence must be sanctioned by a direct free kick, or a
penalty kick if the offence is committed inside the penalty area, and
the player must be cautioned for unsporting behavior.
Treatment of Injured Players
The Board considered the problems caused by injuries to players. It was
of the opinion that referees should allow players to return to the field
of play as soon as possible after they have recovered from injury. In
this respect, and in the case of players returning from treatment for a
bleeding injury, the fourth official may assist referees, where one has
been appointed to the match.
The Board also expressed its concern at the loss of playing time caused
by the assessment of injuries to players and their removal from the
field of play. The safety of the players must always be the main
priority, however referees are instructed to add the full amount of time
lost for these and any other reasons at the end of each period of play.
3. EXPERIMENTS TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME
Two Referees
The Board having monitored the experiment of using two referees in a
number of federations, decided to end the experiment.
9.15 meter Advancement
The Board received reports from the Football Association and from the
Scottish Football Association about the experiment of advancing play by
9.15 meters towards the center of the opposing goal where a player
failed to respect the required distance, delayed the restart off play by
carrying, throwing or kicking the ball away, showed dissent by word or
action or indulged in any other form of unsporting behavior.
It agreed that the experiment should continue for another year with an
amendment to the current experiment to cease the advancement of play at
the penalty area line.
Advertising
The board noted with concern that its decisions taken on 4 March 1995
prohibiting advertising and club logos on goal nets and corner flags,
was not being respected. Such advertising or publicity
is not
permitted
in the Laws of the Game and FIFA was asked to take action against clubs
which do not respect these instructions.
Celebration of a goal
The Board recognized that the celebration of a goal was an important and
emotional part of football and relaxed the earlier statement in FIFA
Circular 579 of 23 January 1996 that any player removing the jersey
while celebrating a goal should be cautioned. Players will no longer be
cautioned if they remove their shirt but they will be cautioned for
unsporting behavior if their celebrations are provocative and intended
to incite or ridicule opponents or opposing spectators. Players guilty
of excessive time wasting while celebrating a goal will also be
cautioned.
Players wearing spectacles
Sympathy was expressed for players, especially young players, who need
to wear spectacles. It was accepted that new technology had made sports
spectacles much safer, both for the player himself and for other
players.
While the referee has the final decision on the safety of players’
equipment, the Board expects that they will take full account of modern
technology and the improved safety features of spectacle design when
making their decision.
Artificial Surfaces
The Board was pleased to note the major developments taking place in
artificial playing surfaces and the introduction of the FIFA Quality
Concept for Artificial Turf. FIFA stated that there was a great interest
in the introduction of these surfaces both for climatic reasons and for
use in enclosed all seated stadium.
Artificial surfaces are already permitted for qualifying matches in the
2002 FIFA World Cup and Olympic Football Tournaments.
2002/2003
LAW 4 - THE PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT
New Decision of the International F.A. Board
Decision 1
•
Advertising is permitted only on the players' jerseys. It may not be
worn on shorts, stockings or footwear.
• Players
must not reveal undershirts, which contain slogans or advertising.
• A player
removing his jersey to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned
by the competition organizer.
• Jerseys
must have sleeves.
LAW 5 - THE REFEREE
New text
Stops the
match if, in his opinion, a player
IS
seriously injured and ensures that he is removed from the field of play.
An injured player may only return to the field of play after the match
has restarted.
Reason:
This
clarifies the procedure to be followed when a player returns to the
field of play following injury.
Law 12 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT
New Text
Indirect Free Kick
An Indirect
tree kick Is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his
own penalty area, commits any of the following four offences:
Reason:
This is a
minor alteration to the text to recognize that there are now four
offences instead of five as before.
INFORMATION, INSTRUCTIONS AND DIRECTIVES
SIMULATION
There was
unanimous support for a high profile publicity campaign to be organized
by FIFA against players guilty of this offence. Referees are instructed
to take strong action against simulation and players guilty of
simulation must be cautioned for unsporting behavior.
PLAYERS DELAYING THE RESTART OF PLAY
Serious
concern was expressed at the number of players who delay the restart of
play. The Laws of the Game are very clear on this matter and The Board
insists that referees must apply them.
TEMPORARY EXPULSIONS
The Board
strongly supported FIFA's concern that some national associations
continue to use temporary expulsions in lower leagues. The Board
confirmed in the strongest terms that this procedure must cease
immediately otherwise disciplinary sanctions will be applied against the
offending federation.
CELEBRATION OF A GOAL
The Board
expressed its concern at the common practice of players removing their
shirts while celebrating a goal to reveal slogans and advertising.
It was
agreed that when time wasting occurred referees would continue to take
actions in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
It was also
agreed that when slogans and advertising were displayed on an
undershirt, the matter could be dealt with by the disciplinary
procedures of the competition.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS TO REFEREES, ASSISTANT REFEREES AND FOURTH
OFFICIALS
The Board
approved that the Additional Instructions for Referees, Assistant
Referees and Fourth Officials would now be printed in the Laws of the
Game book.
ARTIFICIAL SURFACES
The Board
endorsed its support at last year's meeting for the FIFA Quality Concept
for Artificial Surfaces.
The
amendments to the Laws of the Game take effect from 1st July 2002 and
instructions and directives are introduced with immediate effect.
We thank
you for your attention to the foregoing.
Yours
faithfully,
FEDERATION
INTERNATIONALE DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIA11ON
Michel-
Zen-Ruffinen
General.
Secretary
CC: FIFA
Executive Committee
FIFA
referees' Committee
FIFA
referees and assistant referees
FIFA
referee instructors
Confederations
2.
Advancement Experiment for all games in the Premiership, the Football
League and F.A. Cup (from the 1st Round Proper): seasons
2000/2001 & again in 2001/2002.
Following
the annual meeting of the International Football Association Board, the
game's law making body in February 2000, the Laws of the Game for season
2000/2001 showed some changes, some significant, some not so; some
permanent, some experimental.
The most
notable amendment in this country for season 2000/2001 was to Law 13.
All games in the Premiership, the Football League and F.A. Cup (from the
1st Round Proper) trailed the 'Advancement Experiment'.
Following
the end of season 2000/2001 the International FA Board looked closely at
the experiment in England by which free kicks are advanced by 9.15
meters (10 yards) when a player of the penalized team fails to respect
the required distance or delays the restart of the game. The Board felt
the results of the ongoing experiments were not yet sufficiently
conclusive and extended the tests for another year (2001/2002 season),
albeit under slightly modified circumstances. FIFA will also conduct
such tests at this year's U-17 World Championship in Trinidad and Tobago
from 14 - 30 September 2001 as part of the education of young players to
respect the Laws of the Game.
The Board
received reports from the Football Association and from the Scottish
Football Association about the experiment of advancing play by 9.15
meters towards the center of the opposing goal where a player failed to
respect the required distance, delayed the restart off play by carrying,
throwing or kicking the ball away, showed dissent by word or action or
indulged in any other form of unsporting behavior.
It agreed
that the experiment should continue for another year (2001/2002 season)
with an amendment to the current experiment to cease the advancement of
play at the penalty area line.
The change
was introduced specifically to curb dissent; the amendment to the Laws
of the Game will read:
"If, when a
free kick is awarded, a player from the offending team:
(a)
Fails to respect the required distance and retreat 9.15m (10 yards) from
the position of the free kick
Or
(b)
Delays the restart of play by carrying, throwing or kicking the ball
away
Or
(c)
Shows dissent by word or action
Or
(d)
Indulges in any other form of unsporting behavior,
- The
Referee will first caution the offending player and show the yellow
card, and the
- The
Referee will advance the free kick 9.15m (10 yards) towards the midpoint
of the offending team’s goal line (up to the penalty area line).
“This
procedure may only be effected once at any free kick."
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