Summary of Changes
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National FAs can allow a maximum of five substitutions (except at the top level)
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National FAs can now allow return substitutions in youth, veterans and disability football
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Clearer wording for the substitution procedure
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A substitution made at half-time without informing referee is not a caution (YC) offence
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Changing the goalkeeper at half-time without informing the referee is not a caution (YC)
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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)
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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:
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allows play to continue
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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.