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Laws of the
Game - The Field of Play
Field surface
Matches may be played on natural or artifi cial surfaces, according to the rules of the competition.
Dimensions
The field of play must be rectangular. The length of
the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.
Length: minimum 90 m (100 yds) maximum 120 m (130 yds)
Width: minimum 45 m (50 yds) maximum 90 m (100 yds)
International Matches
Length: minimum 100 m (110 yds) maximum 110 m (120 yds)
Width: minimum 64 m (70 yds) maximum 75 m (80 yds)
Field Markings
The field of play is marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of
which they are boundaries.
The two longer boundary lines are called touch lines. The two shorter lines are
called goal lines.
All lines are not more than 12 cm (5 ins) wide.
The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line.
The centre mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with
a radius of 9.15 m (10 yds) is marked around it.
The Goal Area
A goal area is defined at each end of the field as follows:
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 5.5 m (6 yds) from the inside of each goalpost.
These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 5.5 m (6 yds) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal
line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.
The Penalty Area
A penalty area is defi ned
at each end of the field as follows:
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 16.5 m (18 yds) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend
into the field of play for a distance of 16.5 m (18 yds)
and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by
these lines and the goal line is the penalty area.
Within each penalty area, a penalty mark is made 11 m (12 yds)
from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them. An arc of a
circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yds) from each
penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.
Flagposts
A fl agpost, not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) high, with a
non-pointed top and a fl ag
is placed at each corner.
Flagposts may also be placed at each end of the
halfway line, not less than 1 m (1 yd) outside the touch line.
The Corner Arc
A quarter circle with a radius of 1 m (1 yd) from each corner flagpost is drawn inside the field of play.
Goals
Goals must be placed on the centre of each goal line. They consist of two
upright posts equidistant from the corner fl agposts
and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar.
The distance between the posts is 7.32 m (8 yds) and
the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8
ft). Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth, which do
not exceed 12 cm (5 ins).
The goal lines are the same width as that of the goalposts and the crossbar.
Nets may be attached to the goals and the ground behind the goal, provided that
they are properly supported and do not interfere with the goalkeeper.
The goalposts and crossbars must be white.
Safety
Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used
if they satisfy this requirement.
Decisions of the International FA Board
Decision 1
If the crossbar becomes displaced or broken, play is stopped until it has been repaired
or replaced in position. If a repair is not possible, the match is abandoned.
The use of a rope to replace the crossbar is not permitted. If the crossbar can
be repaired, the match is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the
ball was located when play was stopped.
Decision 2
Goalposts and crossbars must be made of wood, metal or other approved material.
Their shape may be square, rectangular, round or elliptical and they must not
be dangerous to players.
Decision 3
No kind of commercial advertising, whether real or virtual, is permitted on the
field of play and field equipment (including the goal nets and the areas they
enclose) from the time the teams enter the field of play until they have left
it at half-time and from the time the teams re-enter the field of play until
the end of the match. In particular, no advertising material of any kind may be
displayed on goals, nets, fl agposts or their fl ags. No extraneous equipment (cameras, microphones, etc.)
may be attached to these items.
Decision 4
There shall be no advertising of any kind within the technical area or within
one metre 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.
Decision 5
The reproduction, whether real or virtual, of representative logos or emblems
of FIFA, confederations, member associations, leagues, clubs or other bodies,
is forbidden on the field of play and field equipment (including the goal nets
and the areas they enclose) during playing time, as described in Decision 3.
Decision 6
A mark may be made off the field of play, 9.15 metres (10 yds) from the corner
arc and at right angles to the goal lines, to ensure that this distance is
observed when a corner kick is being taken.
Decision 7
Where artifi cial surfaces
are used in either competition matches between representative teams of member associations affi liated to FIFA or international club competition matches,
the surface must meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality Concept for Artifi cial Turf or the
International Artifi cial
Turf Standard, unless special dispensation is given by FIFA.
Decision 8
Where a technical area exists, it must meet the
requirements approved by the International F.A. Board, which are contained in
this publication.
Qualities and Measurements
The ball is:
·
spherical
·
made of leather or other suitable material
·
of a circumference of not more than 70 cm (28 ins) and not less
than 68 cm (27 ins)
·
not more than 450 g (16 oz) in weight and not less than 410 g (14
oz) at the start of the match
·
of a pressure equal to 0.6 – 1.1 atmosphere (600 – 1100 g/cm2) at
sea level (8.5 lbs/sq in 15.6 lbs/sq in)
Replacement
of a Defective Ball
If the ball bursts or becomes defective during the course of a match:
·
the match is stopped
·
the match is restarted by dropping the replacement ball at the
place where the first ball became defective
If the ball bursts or becomes
defective whilst not in play at a kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick,
penalty kick or throw-in:
·
the match is restarted accordingly
The ball may not be changed
during the match without the authority of the referee.
Players
A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not
more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start
if either team consists of fewer than seven players.
Official Competitions
Up to a maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an offi cial competition organised under the auspices of FIFA, the confederations or
the member associations.
The rules of the competition must state how many substitutes may be nominated,
from three up to a maximum of seven.
Other Matches
In national A team matches, up to a maximum of six
substitutes may be used.
In all other matches, a greater number of substitutes may be used provided
that:
·
The teams concerned reach 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 match, no more than six substitutes
are allowed.
All Matches
In all matches, the names of the substitutes must be given to the referee prior
to the start of the match. Substitutes not so named may not take part in the
match.
Substitution Procedure
To replace a player by a substitute, the following
conditions must be observed:
·
The referee is informed before any proposed substitution is made
·
A substitute only enters the field of play after the player
being replaced has left and after receiving a signal from the referee
·
A substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway
line and during a stoppage in the match
·
A substitution is completed when a substitute enters the
field of play
·
From that moment, the substitute becomes a player and the player
he has replaced ceases to be a player
·
A player who has been replaced takes no further part in the
match
·
All substitutes are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of
the referee, whether called upon to play or not
Changing
the Goalkeeper
Any of the other players may change places with the
goalkeeper, provided that:
·
The referee is informed before the change is made
·
The change is made during a stoppage in the match
Infringements/Sanctions
If a substitute enters the fi eld
of play without the referee’s permission: • play is stopped
·
The substitute is cautioned, shown the yellow card and required to
leave the field of play
·
Play is restarted with an indirect free kick at the place the ball
was located when play was stopped
If a player changes places
with the goalkeeper without the referee’s permission before the change is made:
·
Play continues
·
The players concerned are cautioned and shown the yellow card when
the ball is next out of play
For any other infringements
of this Law:
·
The players concerned are cautioned and shown the yellow card
Restart
of Play
If play is stopped by the referee to administer a caution: • the match is
restarted by an indirect free kick, to be taken by a player of the opposing
team from the place where the ball was located when play was stopped Players
and Substitutes Sent Off
A player who has been sent off before the kick-off may be replaced only by one
of the named substitutes.
A named substitute who has been sent off, either
before the kick-off or after play has started, may not be replaced.
Decisions of the International FA Board
Decision 1
Subject to the overriding conditions of Law 3, the minimum number of players in
a team is left to the discretion of member associations. The Board is of the
opinion, however, that a match should not continue if there are fewer than
seven players in either team.
Decision 2
A team offi cial may convey
tactical instructions to the players during the match and he must return to his
position after giving these instructions. All offi cials must remain within the confi
nes of the technical area, where such an area is
provided, and they must behave in a responsible manner.
Laws of the
Game - The Players Equipment
Safety
A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself
or another player (including any kind of jewellery).
Basic Equipment
The basic compulsory equipment of a player comprises the following separate
items:
·
a jersey or shirt
·
shorts – if thermal undershorts are
worn, they are of the same main colour as the shorts
·
stockings
·
shinguards
·
footwear
Shinguards
·
are covered entirely by the stockings
·
are made of a suitable material (rubber, plastic, or similar
substances)
·
provide a reasonable degree of protection
Goalkeepers
each goalkeeper wears colours that distinguish him
from the other players, the referee and the assistant referees
Infringements/Sanctions
For any infringement of this Law:
·
play need not be stopped
·
the player at fault is instructed by the referee to leave the
field of play to correct his equipment
·
the player leaves the field of play when the ball next ceases to
be in play, unless he has already corrected his equipment
·
any player required to leave the field of play to correct his
equipment does not re-enter without the referee’s permission
·
the referee checks that the player’s equipment is correct before
allowing him to re-enter the fi eld
of play
·
the player is only allowed to re-enter the field of play when the
ball is out of play
·
A player who has been required to leave the field of play because
of an infringement of this Law and who enters (or re-enters) the field of play
without the referee’s permission is cautioned and shown the yellow card.
Restart
of Play
If play is stopped by the referee to administer a
caution:
·
the match is restarted by an indirect free kick taken by a player
of the opposing side, from the place where the ball was located when the
referee stopped the match
Decisions
of the International F.A. Board
Decision 1
·
Players must not reveal undershirts that contain slogans or
advertising. A player removing his jersey to reveal slogans or advertising will
be sanctioned by the competition organiser.
·
The Authority of the Referee
Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the
Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed.
Powers and Duties
The Referee:
·
enforces the Laws of the Game
·
controls the match in co-operation with the assistant referees
and, where applicable, with the fourth official
·
ensures that any ball used meets the requirements of Law 2
·
ensures that the players’ equipment meets the requirements of Law
4
·
acts as timekeeper and keeps a record of the match
·
stops, suspends or terminates the match, at his discretion, for
any infringements of the Laws
·
stops, suspends or terminates the match because of outside
interference of any kind
·
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
·
allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player
is, in his opinion, only slightly injured
·
ensures that any player bleeding from a wound
leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a signal from
the referee, who must be satisfi ed that the bleeding
has stopped
·
allows play to continue when the team against which an offence has
been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalises
the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time
·
punishes the more serious offence when a player commits more than
one offence at the same time
·
takes disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off offences. He is not obliged to
take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play
·
takes action against team offi cials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible
manner and may, at his discretion, expel them from the field of play and its
immediate surrounds
·
acts on the advice of assistant referees regarding incidents that
he has not seen
·
ensures that no unauthorised persons
enter the field of play
·
restarts the match after it has been stopped
·
provides the appropriate authorities with a match report, which
includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or
team officials and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after
the match
Decisions
of the Referee
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected
with play are final. The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on
the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he has not restarted play or
terminated the match.
Decision of the International FA Board
Decision 1
A referee (or where applicable, an assistant referee or fourth offi cial) is not held liable
for: any kind of injury suffered by a player, offi cial or spectator any damage to property of any kind any
other loss suffered by any individual, club, company, association or other
body, which is due or which may be due to any decision that he may take under
the terms of the Laws of the Game or in respect of the normal procedures
required to hold, play and control a match. This may include:
·
a decision that the condition of the fi eld of play or its surrounds or that the weather conditions
are such as to allow or not to allow a match to take place
·
a decision to abandon a match for whatever reason
·
a decision as to the condition of the fi
xtures or equipment used during a match including the
goalposts, crossbar, fl agposts and the ball
·
a decision to stop or not to stop a match due to spectator
interference or any problem in the spectator area
·
a decision to stop or not to stop play to allow an injured player
to be removed from the fi eld
of play for treatment
·
a decision to request or insist that an injured player be removed
from the field of play for treatment
·
a decision to allow or not to allow a player to wear certain
apparel or equipment
·
a decision (in so far as this may be his responsibility) to allow
or not to allow any persons (including team or stadium officials, security
officers, photographers or other media representatives) to be present in the
vicinity of the field of play
·
any other decision that he may take in accordance with the Laws of
the Game or in conformity with his duties under the terms of FIFA,
confederation, member association or league rules or regulations under which
the match is played
Decision
2
In tournaments or competitions where a fourth offi cial is appointed, his role
and duties must be in accordance with the guidelines approved by the
International F.A. Board, which are contained in this publication.
Decision 3
Facts connected with play shall include whether a goal is scored or not and the
result of the match
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 penalised 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 distance.
In the event of undue interference or improper conduct, the referee will
relieve an assistant referee of his duties and make a report to the appropriate
authorities.
Periods of Play
The match lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes, unless otherwise mutually
agreed between the referee and the two participating teams.
Any agreement to alter the periods of play (for example to reduce each half to
40 minutes because of insuffi cient
light) must be made before the start of play and must comply with competition
rules. Half-Time Interval
Players are entitled to an interval at half-time. The half-time interval must
not exceed 15 minutes. Competition rules must state the duration of the
half-time interval. The duration of the half-time interval may be altered only
with the consent of the referee.
Allowance for Time Lost
Allowance is made in either period for all time lost through:
·
substitution(s)
·
assessment of injury to players
·
removal of injured players from the fi eld of play for treatment