As with any large-scale revision, there is always a second ‘follow up’ stage and many of the changes for 2017/18 are clarifications which make the text clearer and/or easier to translate - most are the result of requests from individuals, groups and national FAs from around the world.

In addition to the clarifications, there are some changes which are extensions of principles established in the 2016/17 revision, for example:

• the philosophy behind reducing the disciplinary sanction from a sending-off (RC) to a caution (YC) for ‘denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO)’ in the penalty area if the offence is an attempt to play the ball is now applied to ‘stopping a promising attack’ in the penalty area which will not be a caution (YC) if the offence is an attempt to play the ball
• penalising with a direct free kick a player who enters the field of play without the required referee’s permission and interferes with play, as is the case for a substitute/team official

The 131st Annual General Meeting of The IFAB in London on 3rd March 2017 also approved some significant changes to help develop and promote football, including:

• an extension of the flexibility of national FAs (and confederations and FIFA) to modify some of the ‘organisational’ Laws (e.g. increasing the maximum number of substitutes to five, except for the highest level) to help promote and develop the football for which they are responsible as The IFAB believes that national FAs know best what will benefit football in their country
• the introduction of temporary dismissals (sin bins) as a potential alternative sanction to a caution (YC) in youth, veterans, disability and grassroots (lowest levels) football
• extension of the use of return substitutes to youth, veterans and disability football (they are already permitted in grassroots football).

Current Referees, Assessors and Instructors
It is vital that all of our current referees, assessors and instructors are aware of the changes to the Laws of the Game, with particular reference to those with major impacts on the way the game is played and officiated.Within this resource you will find details of the changes. New text is in blue.
To complete the process you must click on the "Continue" button at the end.

This module will take approximately 45 minutes to complete, including the examination at the end.

Replace ‘infringement/infringe’ etc. with ‘offence/offend’ etc.

No changes.

Summary of Changes

• National FAs can allow a maximum of five substitutions (except at the top level)
• National FAs can now allow return substitutions in youth, veterans and disability football
• Clearer wording for the substitution procedure
• A substitution made at half-time without informing referee is not a caution (YC) offence
• Changing the goalkeeper at half-time without informing the referee is not a caution (YC)
• Player who enters the field of play without the referee’s permission(if it is required) and interferes is punished with a direct free kick (FK)
• Team scoring a goal with an extra person on the field is punished with a direct FK

Literal Changes to the Law

2. Number of substitutions
Official competitions
The number of substitutes, up to a maximum of five, which may be used in any match played in an official competition will be determined by FIFA, the confederations or the national football association except for Men and Women competitions involving the 1st teams of clubs in the top division or senior ‘A’ international teams, where the maximum is three substitutes.
The competition rules must state how many substitutes may be named, from three to a maximum of twelve.

Return substitutions
The use of return substitutions is only permitted in youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football, subject to the agreement of the national football association, confederation or FIFA.

3. Substitution procedure
The substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play; from that moment, the replaced player becomes a substituted player and the substitute becomes a player and can take any restart.

5. Offences and sanctions
If a substitution is made during the half-time interval or before extra time, the procedure must 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 appropriate authority.

If a player changes places with the goalkeeper without the referee’s permission, the referee:

• allows play to continue
• cautions both players when the ball is next out of play but not if the change occurred during half-time (including extra time) or the period between the end of the match and the start of extra time and/or kicks from the penalty mark.

8. Player outside the field of play
If a player who requires the referee’s permission to re-enter the field of play re-enters without the referee’s permission, the referee must:

• stop play (not immediately if the player does not interfere with play or a match official or if the advantage can be applied)
• caution the player for entering the field of play without permission

If the referee stops play, it must be restarted:

• with a direct free kick from the position of the interference
• with an indirect free kick from the position of the ball when play was stopped if there was no interference

A player who crosses a boundary line as part of a playing movement, does not commit an offence.

9. Goal scored with an extra person on the field of play
If, after a goal is scored, the referee realises, before play restarts, an extra person was on the field of play when the goal was scored:

• the referee must disallow the goal if the extra person was:
  • 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
  • an outside agent who interfered with play unless a goal results as outlined above in ‘extra persons on the field of play’; play is restarted with a goal kick, corner kick or dropped ball.

Summary of Changes

• Goalkeeper caps are not included in the list of restrictions on head covers
• Players are not permitted to wear/use any electronic or communication equipment, except electronic performance and tracking systems/EPTS); technical staff may only use communication equipment for safety/welfare issues
• A ll EPTS equipment must bear a minimum safety standard mark

Literal Changes to the Law

4. Other equipment
Non-dangerous protective equipment, for example headgear, facemasks and knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight padded material is permitted as are goalkeepers’ caps and sports spectacles.

Head Covers
Where head covers (excluding goalkeepers’ caps) are worn, they must:

• (...)

Electronic communication
Players (including substitutes/substituted and sent off players) are not permitted to wear or use any form of electronic or communication equipment (except where EPTS is allowed). The use of any form of electronic communication by team officials is not permitted except where it directly relates to player welfare or safety.

Electronic performance and tracking systems (EPTS)
Where wearable technology (WT) as part of electronic performance and tracking systems (EPTS) is used in matches played in an official competition organised under the auspices of FIFA, confederations or national football associations, the technology attached to the player’s equipment must bear the following mark:
This mark indicates that it has been officially tested and meets the minimum safety requirements of the International Match Standard developed by FIFA and approved by The IFAB. The institutes conducting the tests are subject to the approval of FIFA. The transition period runs until 31 May 2018.

Summary of Changes

• Important statement that decisions made by match officials must always be respected
  
• National FAs can allow temporary dismissals (sin bins) for some/all cautions (YC) in youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football (Guidelines for both systems will be published)
• A medical official guilty of a dismissible offence may stay/treat players if no
  other medical person is available for the team

Literal Changes to the Law

2. Decisions of the referee
Decisions will be made to the best of the referee’s ability according to the Laws of the Game and the ‘spirit of the game’ and will be based on the opinion of the referee who has the discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws of the Game.
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final. The decisions of the referee, and all other match officials, must always be respected.

3. Powers and duties
Disciplinary action

• (...)
• has the power to show yellow or red cards and, where competition rules permit, temporarily dismiss a player, from entering the field of play at the start of the match until after the match has ended, including during the half-time interval, extra time and kicks from the penalty mark
• takes action against team officials who fail to act in a responsible manner and may expel 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, and act if a player needs medical attention.
• (...)

No changes.

Summary of Changes

• A short drinks break is permitted at half-time of extra time

Literal Changes to the Law

2. Half-time interval
Players are entitled to an interval at half-time, not exceeding 15 minutes; a short drinks break is permitted at the interval of half-time in extra time. Competition rules must state the duration of the half-time interval and it may be altered only with the referee’s permission.

Summary of Changes

• Kicker can stand in the opponents’ half at the kick-off

Literal Changes to the Law

1. Kick-off
Procedure
For every kick-off:

• all players, except the player taking the kick-off, must be in their own half of the field of play
• (...)
• a goal may be scored directly against the opponents from the kick-off; if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents

No changes.

Summary of Changes

• Extra time must be two equal periods, maximum 15 minutes each
• Kicks from the penalty mark (KFPM)
  • Corrected wording for goalkeeper who is unable to continue
  • Excluded player may replace a goalkeeper even if team has used all its permitted substitutes
  • Kicker may not play the ball a second time
  • A goalkeeper who offends and the penalty has to be retaken must be cautioned (YC)
  • If the kicker offends the kick is forfeited (recorded as ‘missed’)
  • If the goalkeeper and kicker offend at the same time:
    • retake and two cautions (YCs) if no goal is scored
    • if a goal is scored the kicker is cautioned (YC) and kick recorded as ‘missed

Literal Changes to the Law

2. Winning team
The team scoring the greater number of goals is the winner. If both teams score no goals or an equal number of goals the match is drawn.

When competition rules require a winning team after a drawn match or home-and-away tie, the only permitted procedures to determine the winning team are:

• away goals rule
• two extra periods of extra time not exceeding 15 minutes each
• kicks from the penalty mark

A combination of the above procedures may be used.

3. Kicks from the penalty mark
Procedure
Before kicks from the penalty mark start

• (...)
• With the exception of a substitute for a goalkeeper who is unable to continue, only players who are on the field of play or are temporarily off the field of play (injury, adjusting equipment etc.) at the end of the match are eligible to take kicks
• (...)
• 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 goalkeeper takes no further part and may not take a kick

During kicks from the penalty mark

• (...)
• The kick is completed when the ball stops moving, goes out of play or the referee stops play for any offence; the kicker may not play the ball a second time
• The referee keeps a record of the kicks
• If the goalkeeper commits an offence and, as a result, the kick is retaken, the goalkeeper must be cautioned.
• If the kicker is penalised for an offence committed after the referee has signalled for the kick to be taken, that kick is recorded as missed and the kicker is cautioned.
• If both the goalkeeper and kicker commit an offence at the same time:
  • if the kick is missed or saved, the kick is retaken and both players cautioned
  • if the kick is scored, the goal is disallowed, the kick is recorded as missed and the kicker cautioned

Summary of Changes

• An offside player can be penalised if the ball rebounds/deflects off a match official
• Addition of ‘attempts to’ to the definition of a ‘save’
• Offside guidance:
  • player in offside position who impedes an opponent must be penalised
  • player in offside position who is fouled before committing an offside offence - foul penalised
  • player in offside position who is fouled when already committing an offside offence - offside penalised

Literal Changes to the Law

2. Offside offence
A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by:
(...)
or

• gaining an advantage by playing the ball or interfering with an opponent when it has:
  • rebounded or been deflected off the goalpost, crossbar, match official or an opponent
  • been deliberately saved by any opponent

A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save by any opponent) is not considered to have gained an advantage.
A ‘save’ is when a player stops, or attempts to stop, a ball which is going into or very close to the goal with any part of the body except the hands/arms (unless the goalkeeper within the penalty area).

In situations where:

• a player moving from, or standing in, an offside position is in the way of an opponent and interferes with the movement of the opponent towards the ball this is an offside offence if it impacts on the ability of the opponent to play or challenge for the ball; if the player moves into the way of an opponent and impedes the opponent’s progress (e.g. blocks the opponent) the offence should be penalised under Law 12
• a player in an offside position is moving towards the ball with the intention of playing the ball and is fouled before playing or attempting to play the ball, or challenging an opponent for the ball, the foul is penalised as it has occurred before the offside offence

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 penalised as it has occurred before the foul challenge

Summary of Changes

• Verbal offences are punished with an indirect FK
• If an advantage is played for a sending-off (RC) and the player commits another offence, that offence is penalised
• A player ‘stopping a promising attack’ in the penalty area is not cautioned (YC) if the offence was an attempt to play the ball
• Addition to list of cautions (YCs) for a ‘denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity’ (DOGSO) offence in the penalty area which was an attempt to play the ball
• Caution (YC) for goal celebration which causes safety/ security issue
• If player moves diagonally to pass the last defender/goalkeeper this can still be a DOGSO
• Clearer DOGSO wording for a penalty area offence which is an attempt to play the ball
• Entering the field of play without permission and stopping a goal or DOGSO is a sending-off
• Off-field offence by/against a player involving opposing player/substitute/ team official (or against a match official) is penalised by FK on the boundary line if the ball is in play
• Direct FK for throwing or kicking ball/object onto the field to interfere with play/someone
• Direct FK on boundary line for throwing or kicking ball/object at someone off the field

Literal Changes to the Law

2. Indirect free kick
An indirect free kick is awarded if a player:

• plays in a dangerous manner
• impedes the progress of an opponent without any contact being made
• is guilty of dissent, using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures or other verbal offences
• prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands or kicks or attempts to kick the ball when the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing it
• commits any other offence, not mentioned in the Laws, for which play is stopped to caution or send off a player

3. Disciplinary action
Advantage
If the referee plays the advantage for an offence for which a caution/send off would have been issued had play been stopped, this caution/send off must be issued when the ball is next out of play, except when the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity results in a goal the player is cautioned for unsporting behaviour.

Advantage should not be applied in situations involving serious foul play, violent conduct or a second cautionable offence unless there is a clear opportunity to score a goal. The referee must send off the player when the ball is next out of play but if the player plays the ball or challenges/interferes with an opponent, the referee will stop play, send off the player and restart with an indirect free kick, unless the player committed a more serious offence.

If a defender starts holding an attacker outside the penalty area and continues holding him inside the penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick.

3. Disciplinary action (cont)

Cautions for unsporting behaviour
There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour including if a player:

• attempts to deceive the referee e.g. by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation)
• changes places with the goalkeeper during play or without the referee’s permission
• commits in a reckless manner a direct free kick offence
• handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack
• commits a foul which interferes with or stops a promising attack except where the referee awards a penalty kick for an offence which was an attempt to play the ball
• denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by an offence which was an attempt to play the ball and the referee awards a penalty kick
• handles the ball in an attempt to score a goal (whether or not the attempt is successful) or in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a goal
• makes unauthorised marks on the field of play
• plays the ball when leaving the field of play after being given permission to leave
• shows a lack of respect for the game
• uses a deliberate trick to pass the ball (including from a free kick) to the goalkeeper with the head, chest, knee etc. to circumvent the Law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with the hands
• verbally distracts an opponent during play or at a restart

Celebration of a goal
Players can celebrate when a goal is scored, but the celebration must not be excessive; choreographed celebrations are not encouraged and must not cause excessive time-wasting.

Leaving the field of play to celebrate a goal is not a cautionable offence but players should return as soon as possible.

A player must be cautioned for:

• climbing onto a perimeter fence and/or approaching the spectators in a manner which causes safety and/or security issues
• gesturing or acting in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory way
• covering the head or face with a mask or other similar item
• removing the shirt or covering the head with the shirt

3. Disciplinary action (cont)

Sending-off offences
A player, substitute or substituted player who commits any of the following offences is sent off:

• denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (except a goalkeeper within their penalty area)
• denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick (unless as outlined below)
• serious foul play
• spitting at an opponent or any other person
• violent conduct
• using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
• receiving a second caution in the same match

Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity
Where a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a deliberate handball offence the player is sent off wherever the offence occurs.

Where a player commits an offence against an opponent which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g. holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.) the offending player must be sent off.

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 opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity is guilty of a sending-off offence.

The following must be considered:

• distance between the offence and the goal
• general direction of the play
• likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball
• location and number of defenders

3. Disciplinary action (cont)

Violent conduct
Violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a team-mate, team official, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made.

In addition, a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.

Offences where an object (or the ball) is thrown

In all cases, the referee takes the appropriate disciplinary action:

• reckless - caution the offender for unsporting behaviour
• using excessive force - send off the offender for violent conduct

4. Restart of play after fouls and misconduct

• If the ball is out of play, play is restarted according to the previous decision
• If the ball is in play and a player commits an offence inside the field of play against:
  • an opponent - indirect or direct free kick or penalty kick
  • a team-mate substitute, substituted or sent-off player, team official or a match official - a direct free kick or penalty kick
  • any other person - a dropped ball
• If, when the ball is in play:
  • a player commits an offence against a match official or an opposing player, substitute, substituted or sent off player, or team official outside the field of play or
  • a substitute, substituted or sent off player, or team official commits an offence against, or interferes with, an opposing player or match official outside the field of play,

play is restarted with a free kick on the boundary line nearest to where the offence/interference occurred; a penalty kick is awarded if this is a direct free kick offence within the offender’s penalty area.

• If a player standing on or off the field of play throws an object (including the ball) at an opposing player, substitute, substituted or sent off player, or team official, match official or the ball, play is restarted with a direct free kick from the position where the object stuck or would have struck the person or the ball. If this position is off the field of play, the free kick is taken on the nearest point on the boundary line; a penalty kick is awarded if this is within the offender’s penalty area.
• If a substitute, substituted or sent off player, player temporarily off the field of play or team official throws or kicks an object onto the field of play and it interferes with play, an opponent or match official, play is restarted with a direct free kick (or penalty kick) where the object interfered with play or struck or would have struck the opponent, match official or the ball.

Summary of Changes

• Attacker in or entering the penalty area before a defensive FK has left the area cannot play or challenge for the ball until it has been touched by another player

Literal Changes to the Law

3. Offences and sanctions

(...)

If, when a free kick is taken 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 allows play to continue. If an opponent who is in the penalty area when the free kick is taken, or enters the penalty area before the ball is in play, touches or challenges for the ball before it has touched another player, the free kick is retaken.

(...)

Summary of Changes

• Kicker must be clearly identified
• If the goalkeeper and kicker offend at the same time:
  • retake and two cautions (YCs) if no goal is scored
  • if a goal is scored the kicker is cautioned (YC) and kick recorded as ‘missed’ + indirect FK (see Law 10
• Goal can be awarded after outside interference if the ball still goes in the goal

Literal Changes to the Law

1. Procedure
The ball must be stationary on the penalty mark.

The player taking the penalty kick must be clearly identified.

The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked.

(...)

Additional time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken and completed at the end of each half of the match or extra time. When additional time is allowed, the penalty kick is completed when, after the kick has been taken, the ball stops moving, goes out of play, is played by any player (including the kicker) other than the defending goalkeeper, or the referee stops play for an offence by the kicker or the kicker’s team. If a defending team player (including the goalkeeper) commits an offence and the penalty is missed/saved, the penalty is retaken.

2. Offences and sanctions

Once the referee has signalled for a penalty kick to be taken, the kick must be taken. If, before the ball is in play, one of the following occurs:

(...)

a player of both teams infringes the Laws of the Game, the kick is retaken unless a player commits a more serious offence (e.g. illegal feinting); if both the goalkeeper and kicker commit an offence at the same time:

• if the kick is missed or saved, the kick is retaken and both players cautioned
• if the kick scored, the goal is disallowed, the kicker is cautioned and play restarts with an indirect free kick to the defending team

If, after the penalty kick has been taken:

(...)

the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player:

• an indirect free kick (or direct free kick for deliberate hand ball) is awarded

the ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward:

• 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 awarded if the ball enters the goal (even if contact was made with the ball) unless the ball enters the opponents’ goal.

3. Summary table

No changes.

Summary of Changes

• Attacker entering the penalty area cannot play or challenge for the ball until it is touched by another player

Literal Changes to the Laws

2. Offences and sanctions

If the ball does not leave the penalty area or is touched by a player before it leaves the penalty area the kick is retaken.

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded; if the kicker deliberately handles the ball:

• a direct free kick is awarded
• a penalty kick is awarded if the offence occurred inside the kicker’s penalty area unless the kicker was the goalkeeper in which case an indirect free kick is awarded

If an opponent who is in the penalty area when the goal kick is taken, or enters the penalty area before the ball is in play, touches or challenges for the ball before it has touched another player, the goal kick is retaken.

If a player enters the penalty area before the ball is in play and fouls or is fouled by an opponent, the goal kick is retaken and the offender may be cautioned or sent off depending on the offence.

For any other offence of this Law the kick is retaken.

No changes.