Laws of the Game 2017/18...Laws of the Game 2017/18 Law changes Practical Guideline changes The International Football Association Board March 2017 The International Football Association

The International Football Association Board 1

Laws of the Game 2017/18 Law changes Practical Guideline changes The International Football Association Board March 2017


Outline summary of Law changes 2017/18 Herewithasimpleoutlineofthemainchanges/clarifications.ALLLAWS• Replace‘infringement/infringe’etc.with‘offence/offend’etc.LAW1–THEFIELDOFPLAY• ArtificialturfmaybeusedforthelinesonagrassfieldifnotdangerousLAW3–THEPLAYERS • NationalFAscanallowamaximumoffivesubstitutions(exceptatthetoplevel)• NationalFAscannowallowreturnsubstitutionsinyouth,veteransanddisability

football• Clearerwordingforthesubstitutionprocedure• Asubstitutionmadeathalf-timewithoutinformingrefereeisnotacaution(YC)offence• Changingthegoalkeeperathalf-timewithoutinformingtherefereeisnotacaution(YC)• Playerwhoentersthefieldofplaywithoutthereferee’spermission(ifitisrequired)

andinterferesispunishedwithadirectfreekick(FK)• TeamscoringagoalwithanextrapersononthefieldispunishedwithadirectFKLAW4–THEPLAYERS’EQUIPMENT• Goalkeepercapsarenotincludedinthelistofrestrictionsonheadcovers• Playersarenotpermittedtowear/useanyelectronicorcommunicationequipment,

exceptelectronicperformanceandtrackingsystems/EPTS);technicalstaffmayonlyusecommunicationequipmentforsafety/welfareissues

• AllEPTSequipmentmustbearaminimumsafetystandardmarkLAW5–THEREFEREE• Importantstatementthatdecisionsmadebymatchofficialsmustalwaysberespected• NationalFAscanallowtemporarydismissals(sinbins)forsome/allcautions(YC)in

youth,veterans,disabilityandgrassrootsfootball(Guidelinesforbothsystemswillbepublished)

• Amedicalofficialguiltyofadismissibleoffencemaystay/treatplayersifnoothermedicalpersonisavailablefortheteam

• LAW7–THEDURATIONOFTHEMATCH• Ashortdrinksbreakispermittedathalf-timeofextratimeLAW8–THESTARTANDRESTARTOFPLAY• Kickercanstandintheopponents’halfatthekick-offLAW10–DETERMININGTHEOUTCOMEOFAMATCH• Extratimemustbetwoequalperiods,maximum15minuteseach


Kicksfromthepenaltymark(KFPM)• Correctedwordingforgoalkeeperwhoisunabletocontinue • Excludedplayermayreplaceagoalkeeperevenifteamhasusedallitspermitted

substitutes• Kickermaynotplaytheballasecondtime• Agoalkeeperwhooffendsandthepenaltyhastoberetakenmustbecautioned(YC)• Ifthekickeroffendsthekickisforfeited(recordedas‘missed’)• Ifthegoalkeeperandkickeroffendatthesametime:

o retakeandtwocautions(YCs)ifnogoalisscoredo ifagoalisscoredthekickeriscautioned(YC)andkickrecordedas‘missed’

LAW11–OFFSIDE• Anoffsideplayercanbepenalisediftheballrebounds/deflectsoffamatchofficial• Additionof‘attemptsto’tothedefinitionofa‘save’• Offsideguidance:

o playerinoffsidepositionwhoimpedesanopponentmustbepenalisedo playerinoffsidepositionwhoisfouledbeforecommittinganoffsideoffence–foul

penalisedo playerinoffsidepositionwhoisfouledwhenalreadycommittinganoffsideoffence

–offsidepenalisedLAW12–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/objectatsomeoneoffthefieldLAW13–FREEKICKS• AttackerinorenteringthepenaltyareabeforeadefensiveFKhaslefttheareacannot

playorchallengefortheballuntilithasbeentouchedbyanotherplayer


LAW14–THEPENALTYKICK• Kickermustbeclearlyidentified• Ifthegoalkeeperandkickeroffendatthesametime:

o retakeandtwocautions(YCs)ifnogoalisscoredo ifagoalisscoredthekickeriscautioned(YC)andkickrecordedas‘missed’(see

Law10)• Goalcanbeawardedafteroutsideinterferenceiftheballstillgoesinthegoal

LAW16–THEGOALKICK• Attackerenteringthepenaltyareacannotplayorchallengefortheballuntilitis

touchedbyanotherplayer


Details of all Law changes 2017/18 ThefollowingarethechangestotheLawsoftheGamefor2017/18.Foreachchangetheoldwording(whereappropriate)andthenew/changed/additionalwordingaregiven, followedbyanexplanationforthechange.The text shown in the ‘old text’ boxesmay be the exact previous text or a more generaloutlineofthemeaningoftheprevioustext.ALLLAWSOffencesandinfringementsManylanguagesdonothavedifferentwordsfor‘offence’and‘infringement’,thedifferenceisnotclearlyunderstood(evenbyEnglishexperts)andtheiruseinconsistente.g.aplayercanbe an ‘offender’ but not an ‘infringer’. Tomake the Laws clearer and to assist translation,‘offence’and‘offend’replace‘infringement’and‘infringe’.LAW1–THEFIELDOFPLAYFieldmarkingsAdditionaltextThe field of playmust be rectangular andmarkedwith continuous lines whichmust not bedangerous; artificial playing surfacematerialmaybeused for the fieldmarkings onnaturalfieldsifitisnotdangerousExplanationArtificial‘turf’(orsimilar)canbeusedforlinemarkingsongrassfieldsifitisnotdangerous.LAW3–THEPLAYERS2.NumberofsubstitutionsOfficialcompetitionsOldtextAmaximumof three substitutesmay be used in anymatch played in an official competitionorganisedundertheauspicesofFIFA,confederationsornationalfootballassociations.NewtextThenumberofsubstitutes,uptoamaximumoffive,whichmaybeusedinanymatchplayedinanofficialcompetitionwillbedeterminedbyFIFA, theconfederationor thenational footballassociationexceptforMenandWomencompetitionsinvolvingthe1stteamsofclubsinthetopdivisionorsenior‘A’internationalteams,wherethemaximumisthreesubstitutes.ExplanationFIFA, confederationsandnational football associations canallowup toamaximumof fivesubstitutesinallcompetitionsexceptatthehighestlevel.


ReturnsubstitutionsOldtext• The use of return substitutions is only permitted in the lowest levels(grassroots/recreation) of football, subject to the agreement of the national footballassociation.Newtext• The use of return substitutions is only permitted in youth, veterans, disability andgrassrootsfootball,subjecttotheagreementofthenationalfootballassociation,confederationorFIFA.ExplanationTheuseofreturnsubstitutions,whicharealreadyallowed ingrassroots football,hasbeenextendedtoyouth,veteransanddisabilityfootball(subjecttopermissionofthenationalFA).SubstitutionprocedureOldtext• The substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play; from thatmomentthesubstitutebecomesaplayerandthereplacedplayerbecomesasubstitutedplayer.Substitutescantakeanyrestartprovidedtheyfirstenterthefieldofplay.NewtextThesubstitutioniscompletedwhenasubstituteentersthefieldofplay;fromthatmoment,thereplacedplayerbecomesasubstitutedplayerandthesubstitutebecomesaplayerandcantakeanyrestart.ExplanationClearerwording.SubstitutionprocedureAdditionaltextIfasubstitutionismadeduringthehalf-timeintervalorbeforeextratime,theproceduremustbe completed before thematch restarts. If the referee is not informed, the named substitutemay continue to play, no disciplinary action is taken and the matter is reported to theappropriateauthorities.ExplanationClarifies that a substitution made at these times without informing the referee is not acautionable(YC)offence.OffencesandsanctionsAdditionaltextIfaplayerchangesplaceswiththegoalkeeperwithoutthereferee’spermission,thereferee:• allowsplaytocontinue• cautions both players when the ball is next out of play but not if the change occurred

duringhalf-time(includingextratime)ortheperiodbetweentheendofthematchandthestartofextratimeand/orkicksfromthepenaltymark


ExplanationClarifies thatchangingplaceswiththegoalkeeperat thesetimeswithouttherefereebeinginformedisnotacautionable(YC)offence. PlayeroutsidethefieldofplayOldtextIf, after leaving the fieldofplaywith the referee’spermission,aplayer re-enterswithout thereferee’spermission,therefereemust:• stopplay (not immediately if theplayerdoesnot interferewithplayor if theadvantage

canbeapplied)• cautiontheplayerforenteringthefieldofplaywithoutpermission• ordertheplayertoleavethefieldofplay(ifnecessary)

Iftherefereestopsplay,itmustberestarted:• withanindirectfreekickfromthepositonoftheballwhenplaywasstopped• inaccordancewithLaw12iftheplayerinfringesthisLaw

AdditionalandamendedtextIfaplayerwhorequiresthereferee’spermissiontore-enterthefieldofplayre-enterswithoutthereferee’spermission,therefereemust:• stopplay(notimmediatelyiftheplayerdoesnotinterferewithplayoramatchofficialor

iftheadvantagecanbeapplied)(…)• cautiontheplayerforenteringthefieldofplaywithoutpermission• ordertheplayertoleavethefieldofplay(ifnecessary)

Iftherefereestopsplay,itmustberestarted:• withadirectfreekickfromthepositionoftheinterference• withanindirectfreekickfromthepositionoftheballwhenplaywasstoppediftherewas

nointerference• inaccordancewithLaw12iftheplayerinfringesthisLawExplanation• A player who re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission (when

required)andinterfereswiththegameisnowpunishedwithadirectfreekick(asforasubstitute/teamofficial)

• It is unnecessary to require the offending player to leave the field of play after thecaution(YC).

GoalscoredwithanextrapersononthefieldofplayOldtextIf,afteragoal isscored, therefereerealises,beforeplayrestarts,anextrapersonwasonthefieldofplaywhenthegoalwasscored:therefereemustdisallowthegoaliftheextrapersonwas:• a player, substitute, substituted player, sent off player or team official of the team thatscoredthegoal(…)

Playisrestartedwithagoalkick,cornerkickordroppedball.


NewTextIf,afteragoal isscored, therefereerealises,beforeplayrestarts,anextrapersonwasonthefieldofplaywhenthegoalwasscored: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 extraperson(…)

ExplanationThismakestheLawconsistentwiththe2016/17changewhichpenalisesasubstitute/teamofficialwhoentersthefieldofplaywithoutpermissionwithadirectfreekick.LAW4–THEPLAYERS’EQUIPMENTOtherequipment-headcoversAdditionaltextWhereheadcovers(excludinggoalkeepers’caps)areworn,theymust:(…)ExplanationClarifiesthatgoalkeepers’capsarenotincludedinthelistofrestrictionsonheadcovers.Otherequipment-electroniccommunicationOldtextTheuseofanyformofelectroniccommunicationbetweenplayers(includingsubstitutes/substitutedandsentoffplayers)and/ortechnicalstaffisnotpermitted.NewtextPlayers(includingsubstitutes/substitutedandsentoffplayers)arenotpermittedtowearoruseanyformofelectronicorcommunicationequipment(exceptwhereEPTSisallowed).Theuseofanyformofelectroniccommunicationbyteamofficialsisnotpermittedexceptwhereitdirectlyrelatestoplayerwelfareorsafety.Explanation• ThenewwordingmakesitcompletelyclearthatapartfromEPTSdevices,playersmust

notuseorwearanyformofelectronicequipmentorcommunicationequipment(e.g.camera,microphone,earpieceetc.).Thisistopreservetheintegrityofthegamesothatnoonecancommunicatewithplayersduringthematch,exceptthe‘transparent’verbaltacticalinformationfromcoaches.

• Playersafetyisveryimportantsoelectroniccommunicationispermittedforthesafetyandwelfareoftheplayerse.g.usingalapelmicrophonetoaskforastretcher,ambulanceorusingassessmentequipment(e.g.iPad)foraheadinjury.


Otherequipment-electronicperformanceandtrackingsystems(EPTS)AdditionaltextWherewearabletechnology(WT)aspartofelectronicperformanceandtrackingsystems(EPTS)isusedinmatchesplayedinanofficialcompetitionorganisedundertheauspicesofFIFA,confederationsornationalfootballassociations,thetechnologyattachedtotheplayer’sequipmentmustbearthefollowingmark:

ThismarkindicatesthatithasbeenofficiallytestedandmeetstheminimumsafetyrequirementsoftheInternationalMatchStandarddevelopedbyFIFAandapprovedbyTheIFAB.TheinstitutesconductingthetestsaresubjecttotheapprovalofFIFA.Thetransitionperiodrunsuntil31May2018.

ExplanationIt is important that any EPTS used by players is certified as having satisfied establishedminimum safety criteria. This requirement is compulsory as from 1 June 2017; systemsalreadyinusehaveatransitionperiodforcompliancewhichendson31May2018.LAW5–THEREFEREEDecisionsoftherefereeAdditionaltextThedecisionsoftherefereeregardingfactsconnectedwithplay,includingwhetherornotagoalisscoredandtheresultofthematch,arefinal.Thedecisionsofthereferee,andallothermatchofficials,mustalwaysberespected.ExplanationIt is a fundamental principle of football that match officials’ decisions must always berespected(evenwhentheyareincorrect).DisciplinaryactionAdditionaltextThereferee(…)• has the power to show yellow or red cards and, where competition rules permit,

temporarilydismissaplayer, fromenteringthe fieldatthestartof thematchuntilafterthematch(…)

ExplanationNational FAs may now allow temporary dismissals in youth, veterans, disability andgrassrootsfootball.DisciplinaryactionAdditionaltextThereferee(…)• takesactionagainstteamofficialswhofailtoactinaresponsiblemannerandmayexpel

them from the field of play and its immediate surrounds; a medical team official whocommits a dismissible offence may remain if the team has no other medical personavailable,andactifaplayerneedsmedicalattention.


ExplanationA team’s medical person who should be dismissed from the technical area is allowed toremainandtreatinjuredplayersiftheteamdoesnothaveanothermedicalpersonavailable.LAW7–THEDURATIONOFTHEMATCHHalf-timeintervalAdditionaltextPlayersareentitledtoanintervalathalf-time,notexceeding15minutes;ashortdrinksbreakispermittedattheintervalofhalf-timeinextratime.ExplanationConsiderationofplayers’welfaremeansthatitissensibletoallowtheplayersaquickdrinksbreakatthehalf-timeintervalinextratime;thebreakisnotforcoachingpurposes.LAW8–THESTARTANDRESTARTOFPLAYThekick-offAdditionaltextForeverykick-off:• allplayers,except theplayer takingthekick-off,mustbe in theirownhalfof the fieldof

play(…)• agoalmaybescoreddirectlyagainsttheopponentsfromthekick-off; iftheballdirectly

entersthekicker’sgoal,acornerkickisawardedtotheopponentsExplanation• The ‘new’kick-off (ballplayedbackwards) ispopularbutoften thekickerhas 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–DETERMININGTHEOUTCOMEOFAMATCHWinningteamAdditionaltextWhencompetitionrulesrequireawinning teamafteradrawnmatchorhome-and-awaytie,theonlypermittedprocedurestodeterminethewinningteamare:• awaygoalsrule• twoequalperiodsofextratimenotexceeding15minuteseach• kicksfromthepenaltymarkAcombinationoftheaboveproceduresmaybeused.ExplanationClarifiesthattheremustbetwoequalperiodsofextratimeofnomorethan15minuteseachandthatacombinationofdifferentmethodstodeterminethewinnerispermitted.


KicksfromthePenaltyMarkPlayerseligibleforkicksfromthepenaltymark(KFPM)Oldtext• Withtheexceptionofasubstituteforaninjuredgoalkeeper,(…)Newtext• Withtheexceptionofasubstituteforagoalkeeperwhoisunabletocontinue,(…)ExplanationWordingchangedtobethesameasinanotherpartofLaw10.0

Playerseligibleforkicksfromthepenaltymark(KFPM)Oldtext• Agoalkeeperwhoisunabletocontinuebeforeorduringthekicksandwhoseteamhasnot

used its maximum permitted number of substitutes, may be replaced by a namedsubstitute, or a player excluded to equalise the number of players, but takes no furtherpartandmaynottakeakick

Newtext• Agoalkeeperwho isunable tocontinuebeforeorduringthekicksmaybereplacedbya

player excluded to equalise the number of players or, if their team has not used itsmaximum permitted number of substitutes, a named substitute, but the replacedgoalkeepertakesnofurtherpartandmaynottakeakick

ExplanationClarifiesthat:• a playerwho has been excluded to equalise the numbers can replace the goalkeeper

eveniftheteamhasusedallitssubstitutes• agoalkeeperwhoisreplacedhasendedtheirinvolvementintheKFPM.WhenakickiscompletedAdditionaltext• Thekickiscompletedwhentheballstopsmoving,goesoutofplayortherefereestopsplay

foranyoffence;thekickermaynotplaytheballasecondtimeExplanationClarifiesthatthekickercannotplaytheballasecondtime. OffencebythegoalkeeperAdditionaltext• Ifthegoalkeepercommitsanoffenceand,asaresult,thekickisretaken,thegoalkeeper

mustbecautioned.

ExplanationClarifiesthatagoalkeeperwhooffendsandcausesaretakemustbecautioned(YC).


OffencebythekickerAdditionaltext• Ifthekickerispenalisedforanoffencecommittedaftertherefereehassignalledforthe

kicktobetaken,thatkickisrecordedasmissedandthekickeriscautioned.

ExplanationClarifiesthatifthekickeroffendsthekickisforfeited(recordedas‘missed’)i.e.noretake.OffencebythegoalkeeperandkickerAdditionaltext• Ifboththegoalkeeperandkickercommitanoffenceatthesametime:

o ifthekickismissedorsaved,thekickisretakenandbothplayerscautionedo if the kick is scored, the goal is disallowed, the kick is recorded as missed and thekickercautioned

ExplanationClarifiestheoutcomewhenboththegoalkeeperandkickeroffendatthesametime,whichisa rare situation as usually one will have offended first. There are different outcomesbecause:• 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–OFFSIDEOffsidepositionfromreboundAdditionaltextAplayerinanoffsidepositionatthemomenttheball isplayedortouchedbyateam-mateisonlypenalisedonbecominginvolvedinactiveplayby:• gaininganadvantagebyplayingtheballorinterferingwithanopponentwhenithas:

o reboundedorbeendeflectedoffthegoalpost,crossbar,matchofficialoranopponent

ExplanationClarifiesthatiftheballreboundsorisdeflectedoffamatchofficialtoaplayerwhowasinanoffsideposition,thatplayercanbepenalisedforanoffsideoffence. Definitionof‘save’AdditionaltextA‘save’ iswhenaplayerstops,orattemptstostop,aballwhichisgoingintoorveryclosetotheir goal with any part of the body except the hands (unless the goalkeeper within theirpenaltyarea).ExplanationMoreaccuratedefinitionofa‘save’.


OffsideoffenceAdditionaltextInsituationswhere:• aplayermovingfrom,orstandingin,anoffsidepositionisinthewayofanopponentand

interfereswiththemovementoftheopponenttowardstheballthisisanoffsideoffenceifitimpactsontheabilityoftheopponenttoplayorchallengefortheball;iftheplayermovesinto the way of an opponent and impedes the opponent’s progress (e.g. blocks theopponent)theoffenceshouldbepenalisedunderLaw12.

• aplayerinanoffsidepositionismovingtowardstheballwiththeintentionofplayingtheballandisfouledbeforeplayingorattemptingtoplaytheball,orchallenginganopponentfortheball,thefoulispenalisedasithasoccurredbeforetheoffsideoffence

• anoffence is committedagainstaplayer inanoffsidepositionwho isalreadyplayingorattemptingtoplaytheball,orchallenginganopponent for theball, theoffsideoffence ispenalisedasithasoccurredbeforethefoulchallenge

ExplanationClarificationofsituationswhere:• aplayerinanoffsidepositionawayfromtheballcommitsanoffencewhichimpactson

theabilityofthedefender(s)toplayorchallengefortheball• anoffenceiscommittedagainstaplayerwhoisinanoffsideposition.LAW12–FOULSANDMISCONDUCTIndirectfreekicksAdditionaltextAnindirectfreekickisawardedifaplayer:• (…)• isguiltyofdissent,usingoffensive,insultingorabusivelanguageand/orgesturesorother

verbaloffences• (…)ExplanationClarifiesthatverbal/gestureoffencesarepunishedwithanindirectfreekickevenifthereisacaution(YC)orsending-off(RC);somehavewronglyinterpretedthedirectfreekickfora‘offences against a match official’ to include dissent etc. but it only applies to physicaloffences. AdvantageafteraredcardAdditionaltextAdvantageshouldnotbeappliedinsituationsinvolvingseriousfoulplay,violentconductorasecondcautionableoffenceunlessthereisaclearopportunitytoscoreagoal.(…)iftheplayerplaystheballorchallenges/interfereswithanopponent,therefereewillstopplay,sendofftheplayer and restart with an indirect free kick, unless the player committed a more seriousoffence.


ExplanationClarifies that if a player commits a sending-off (RC) offence and the referee plays theadvantage,iftheplayerthencommitsanotheroffenceitshouldbepenalisede.g.theplayerfoulsanopponent.CautionsforunsportingbehaviourAdditionaltextTherearedifferentcircumstanceswhenaplayermustbecautionedforunsportingbehaviour,includingifaplayer:• commits a foul or handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack except

wheretherefereeawardsapenaltykickforanoffencewhichwasanattempttoplaytheball

ExplanationRemovalofacaution(YC) forstoppingapromisingattackwhenapenaltykick isawardedforanoffencewhichwasanattempttoplaytheballisconsistentwithacaution(YC),notasending-off (RC) if the referee awards a penalty kick for a DOGSO offence which is anattempttoplaytheball..CautionsforunsportingbehaviourAdditionaltextTherearedifferentcircumstanceswhenaplayermustbecautionedforunsportingbehaviour,includingifaplayer:• denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by an offence which was an

attempttoplaytheballandtherefereeawardsapenaltykickExplanationAsaDOGSOoffenceinthepenaltyareainvolvinganattempttoplaytheballisnowpunishedwithacaution(YC)andnotasending-off(RC)thisoffenceisaddedtothelistofcautionable(YC)offences.CelebrationofagoalAdditionaltextAplayermustbecautionedfor:• climbing onto a perimeter fence and/or approaching the spectators in amannerwhich

causessafetyand/orsecurityissues• gesturingoractinginaprovocative,derisoryorinflammatorywayExplanationAnyactionwhichcausessafety/securityconcerns,or isprovocativeetc.mustbecautioned(YC).Sending-offoffencesOldtextAplayer,substituteorsubstitutedplayerwhocommitsanyofthefollowingoffencesissentoff:• denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the

opponents’goalbyanoffencepunishablebyafreekick(unlessasoutlinedbelow).


NewtextAplayer,substituteorsubstitutedplayerwhocommitsanyofthefollowingoffencesissentoff:• denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall

movementistowardstheoffender’sgoalbyanoffencepunishablebyafreekick(unlessasoutlinedbelow).

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 canstillexist.

Sending-offoffencesOldtextWhereaplayercommitsanoffenceagainstanopponentwithintheirownpenaltyareawhichdeniesanopponentanobviousgoal-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.)NewtextWhereaplayercommitsanoffenceagainstanopponentwhichdeniesanopponentanobviousgoal-scoringopportunityandtherefereeawardsapenaltykick,theoffenderiscautionediftheoffence was an attempt to play the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g. holding, pulling,pushing,nopossibilitytoplaytheballetc.)theoffendingplayermustbesentoff.ExplanationClearerwording–nochangeintheLaworitsapplication.DOGSObysomeoneenteringthefieldofplayAdditionaltextAplayer, sentoffplayer, substituteor substitutedplayerwhoenters the fieldofplaywithoutthe required referee’s permission and interferes with play or an opponent and denies theopposingteamagoaloranobviousgoal-scoringopportunityisguiltyofasending-offoffence.ExplanationClarifies that someone who enters the field of play without the referee’s permission(includingwhenaplayerrequirespermissiontoreturntothefielde.g.afteraninjury)andpreventsagoal,ordeniesanobviousgoal-scoringopportunity,hascommittingasending-off(RC)offence,evenifnootheroffenceiscommitted.


RestartofplayafterfoulsandmisconductOldtextIftheballisinplayandaplayercommitsanoffenceinsidethefieldofplayagainst:• (…)• ateammate, substitute, substitutedplayer, teamofficialormatchofficial–adirect free

kickorpenaltykick(…)Iftheballisinplayandaplayercommitsanoffenceoutsidethefieldofplay:• iftheplayerisalreadyoffthefieldofplay,playisrestartedwithadroppedball• iftheplayerleavesthefieldofplaytocommittheoffence,playisrestartedwithanindirect

freekickfromthepositionoftheballwhenplaywasstopped.However,ifaplayerleavesthe field of play as part of play and commits an offence against another player, play isrestarted with a free kick taken on the boundary line nearest to where the offenceoccurred; for direct free kick offences, a penalty kick is awarded if this is within theoffender’spenaltyarea.

NewtextIftheballisinplayandaplayercommitsanoffenceinsidethefieldofplay:• (…)• ateammate, substitute, substitutedorsentoffplayer, teamofficialormatchofficial–a

directfreekickorpenaltykick(…)If,whentheballisinplay:• aplayercommitsanoffenceagainstamatchofficialoranopposingplayer,substitute,

substitutedorsentoffplayer,orteamofficialoutsidethefieldofplayor• asubstitute,substitutedorsentoffplayer,orteamofficialcommitsanoffenceagainst,or

interfereswith,anopposingplayerormatchofficialoutsidethefieldofplay,playisrestartedwithafreekickontheboundarylinenearesttowheretheoffence/interferenceoccurred;apenaltykickisawardedifthisisadirectfreekickoffencewithintheoffender’spenaltyarea.Explanation• It isadirect freekick ifanoffence is committedon the fieldofplayagainsta sent-off

player.• Aplayerwhocommitsanoffenceagainstanopposingplayer/substitute/teamofficialor

matchofficialoffthefieldofplayispenalisedwithafreekickontheboundarylinee.g.aplayerstrikesanopposingsubstitute/teamofficial.

• Asubstitute/teamofficialwhocommitsanoffenceagainstanopposingplayerormatchofficialoff the field ispenalisedwitha freekickon theboundary linee.g. a substitutestrikesaplayerwaitingtoreturnafterinjuryortripsaplayerwhohastemporarilyleftthefieldofplaytochasetheball.

• ThisLawdoesnotapplyforoffencesbetweensubstitutesorteamofficial-itisonlyforanoffencebyoragainstoneoftheplayers.


ThrowingobjectsOldtextOffenceswhereanobject(ortheball)isthrownIf,whiletheballisinplay,aplayer,substituteorsubstitutedplayerthrowsanobject(includingtheball)atanopponentandoranyotherpersontherefereemuststopplayandiftheoffencewas:• reckless-cautiontheoffenderforunsportingbehaviour• usingexcessiveforce-sendofftheoffenderforviolentconduct(…)Ifaplayerstandingonoroffthefieldofplaythrowsanobjectatanopponent,playisrestartedwithadirectfreekickorpenaltykickfromthepositionwheretheobjectstruckorwouldhavestrucktheopponent.Playisrestartedwithanindirectfreekickifa:• playerstandinginsidethefieldofplaythrowsanobjectatanypersonoutsidethefieldof

play• substituteorsubstitutedplayerthrowsanobjectstandinginsidethefieldofplayNewtextIf a player standing on or off the field of play throws an object (including the ball) at anopposingplayer,substitute,substitutedorsentoffplayer,orteamofficial,matchofficialortheball,playisrestartedwithadirectfreekickfromthepositionwheretheobjectstuckorwouldhavestruckthepersonortheball.Ifthispositionisoffthefieldofplay,thefreekickistakenonthenearestpointontheboundaryline;apenaltykickisawardedifthisiswithintheoffender’spenaltyareaIf a substitute, substitutedor sent off player, player temporarily off the field of play or teamofficialthrowsorkicksanobjectontothefieldofplayanditinterfereswithplay,anopponentormatch official, play is restartedwith a direct free kick (or penalty kick)where the objectinterferedwithplayorstruckorwouldhavestrucktheopponent,matchofficialortheball.Inallcases,therefereetakestheappropriatedisciplinaryaction:• reckless-cautiontheoffenderforunsportingbehaviour• usingexcessiveforce-sendofftheoffenderforviolentconductExplanation• Ifaplayerthrowsanobjectatsomeoneoffthefieldofplaythefreekickisawardedon

theboundarylinenearesttowheretheobjecthitorwouldhavehittheperson;thiswillbeapenaltykickifwithintheoffender’spenaltyarea.

• Theoutcome/impactofthrowingorkickinganobjectontothefieldofplayisthesameasifthepersoncommittedtheoffencedirectly,sothepunishmentisthesame.

LAW13–FREEKICKS AttackingplayerinorenteringthepenaltyareaAdditionalandamendedtextIf,when a free kick is taken quickly by the defending team from inside its penalty area, anyopponents are inside the penalty area because they did not have time to leave, the referee


allowsplaytocontinue.Ifanopponentwhoisinthepenaltyareawhenthefreekickistaken,orentersthepenaltyareabeforetheballisinplay,touchesorchallengesfortheballbeforeithastouchedanotherplayer,thefreekickisretaken.ExplanationThischangemakestherequirementsforadefensivefreekickinthepenaltyareaconsistentwiththerequirementsatagoalkick(Law16). LAW14–THEPENALTYKICKIdentifyingthekickerOldtextTheplayertakingthepenaltykickmustbeproperlyidentified.NewtextTheplayertakingthepenaltykickmustbeclearlyidentified.ExplanationClearertext.

AdditionaltimeforapenaltykickAdditionaltextAdditionaltimeisallowedforapenaltykicktobetakenattheendofeachhalfofthematchandextratime.Whenadditionaltimeisallowed,thepenaltykickiscompletedwhen,afterthekickhasbeentaken,theballstopsmoving,goesoutofplay,isplayedbyanyplayer(includingthekicker)otherthanthedefendinggoalkeeper,ortherefereestopsplayforanoffencebythekickerorthekicker’steam.Ifadefendingteamplayer(includingthegoalkeeper)commitsanoffenceandthepenaltyismissed/saved,thepenaltyisretaken.ExplanationClarifieswhenapenaltyiscompletedwhentimehasbeenextendedforthepenaltykicktobetaken.Offencebygoalkeeperandkicker(seeLaw10)Additionaltext• Ifboththegoalkeeperandkickercommitanoffenceatthesametime::

o ifthekickismissedorsaved,thekickisretakenandbothplayerscautionedo ifthekickscored,thegoalisdisallowed,thekickeriscautionedandplayrestartswithanindirectfreekicktothedefendingteam

ExplanationClarifiestheoutcomewhenboththegoalkeeperandkickeroffendatthesametime,whichisrareasusuallyonewillhaveclearlybeen the first tooffend.Therearedifferentoutcomesbecause:• if the kick is missed/saved (because of the goalkeeper’s offence) both players have

committedacautionable(YC)offence


• ifagoal isscoredthegoalkeeperhasnotcommittedacautionable(YC)offencebutasthekicker’soffenceiscautionable(YC)itis‘moreserious’(seeLaw5)andisthereforepenalised.

InterferencewithapenaltykickAdditionaltextTheballistouchedbyanoutsideagentasitmovesforward:• the kick is retaken unless the ball is going into the goal and the interference does not

prevent the goalkeeper or a defendingplayer playing the ball, inwhich case the goal isawardediftheballentersthegoal(evenifcontactwasmadewiththeball)unlesstheballenterstheopponents’goal.

ExplanationClarifies what should happen if there is interference with a ball going into the goal at apenaltykick.LAW16–THEGOALKICKAttackingplayerinorenteringthepenaltyareaAdditionaltextIfanopponentwhoisinthepenaltyareawhenthegoalkickistaken,orentersthepenaltyareabeforetheballisinplay,touchesorchallengesfortheballbeforeithastouchedanotherplayer,thegoalkickisretaken.ExplanationClarifiestheactiontobetakenifaplayerentersthepenaltyareabeforetheballisinplay.


Practical Guidelines for Match Officials Herewiththemainchanges.

Positioning,MovementandTeamworkKicksfromthepenaltymarkAdditionaltext(…)IfthereareAARs,theymustbepositionedateachintersectionofthegoallineandthegoalarea, to the rightand leftof thegoal respectively, exceptwhereGLT is inusewhenonlyoneAARisrequired.AAR2andAR1shouldmonitortheplayersinthecentrecircleandAR2andtheFourthOfficialshouldmonitorthetechnicalareas.ExplanationOnlyoneAARisneeded(tomonitorthegoalkeeper’smovement)whenGLTisused. PenaltykickCorrectedtext(anddiagram)WherethereareAARs,theAARmustbepositionedattheintersectionofthegoallineandthegoalarea(…)

Bodylanguage,CommunicationandWhistleAssistantRefereesCornerkick/goalkickOldtextWhentheballwhollypassesoverthegoallineneartotheAR,asignalshouldbemadewiththerighthand(betterlineofvision)toindicatewhetheritisagoalkickoracornerkick.When the ball wholly passes over the goal line the ARmust raise the flag to inform therefereethattheballisoutofplayandthenifitis:• neartotheAR-indicatewhetheritisagoalkickoracornerkick.• farfromtheAR-makeeyecontactandfollowthereferee’sdecision.TheARmayalso

makeadirectsignalifthedecisionisanobviousone.NewtextWhentheballwhollypassesoverthegoallinetheARraisestheflagwiththerighthand(betterlineofvision)toinformtherefereethattheballisoutofplayandthenifitis:• neartotheAR-indicatewhetheritisagoalkickoracornerkick• farfromtheAR-makeeyecontactandfollowthereferee’sdecision

WhentheballclearlypassesoverthegoallinetheARdoesnotneedtoraisetheflagtoindicatethattheballhasleftthefieldofplay.Ifthegoalkickorcornerkickdecisionisobvious,itisnotnecessarytogiveasignal,especiallywhentherefereegivesasignal.ExplanationThe AR does not need to signal for a very clear goal kick or corner kick, especially if therefereehasalreadysignalledand/ortheballgoesoutofplayontheoppositesideofthegoalfromtheAR.

Documents

Laws of the Game 2017/18...Laws of the Game 2017/18 Law changes Practical Guideline changes The International Football Association Board March 2017 The International Football Association