Law 12: Fouls and MisconductImpeding the progress of an opponent without contact·Page 119, 2026/27 edition

Impeding the progress of an opponent without contact

The provision as it is printed, and everything on Ruleside that turns on it.

Impeding the progress of an opponent means moving into the opponent's path to obstruct, block, slow down or force a change of direction when the ball is not within playing distance of either player.
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, page 119 · clause law-12-e268c66f

Verdicts that turn on it 3

Walk the tree to any of these and this clause is part of the answer.

Explained in the rules library 3

The plain-language pages that build on this provision.

Applied in these incidents 1

Real decisions where this clause decided what should have happened.

Tah's goal was disallowed for a block that never happened, and Law 12 draws the line at moving into the pathGermany vs Paraguay

Questions that ask it 3

Points in a walk where the reader is deciding this provision.

The Laws of the Game are published by The IFAB and quoted here for the purpose of explaining the decisions on this site. Ruleside is not affiliated with The IFAB or FIFA. Every clause of Fouls and Misconduct that Ruleside cites.