Notes and modifications
The 202 provisions of this law that Ruleside argues from, in the order they are printed. Each one has its own address and lists every verdict, incident and rules page that turns on it.
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Applying the Laws
- The same Laws apply in every match in every confederation, country, town and village and, apart from the modifications permitted by The IFAB (see ‘General modifications'), the Laws must not be modified or changed, except with the permission of The IFAB.p17 · cited by 1 page
- Players have a major responsibility for the image of the game and the team captain should play an important role in helping to ensure that the Laws and referees' decisions are respected.p18 · cited by 1 page
Key
- The universality of the Laws of the Game means that the game is essentially the same in every part of the world and at every level. As well as creating a fair and safe environment in which the game is played, the Laws should also promote participation and enjoyment.p20 · cited by 1 page
- Historically, The IFAB has allowed national football associations (FAs) some flexibility to modify the ‘organisational' Laws for specific categories of football. The IFAB strongly believes that national FAs should be able to modify some aspects of the way football is organised if it will benefit football in their own country.p20 · cited by 1 page
- How the game is played and refereed should be the same on every football field in the world, from the FIFA World Cup™ final to the smallest village. However, the needs of a country's domestic football should determine how long the game lasts, how many people can take part and how some unfair behaviour is punished.p20 · cited by 1 page
- All national FAs (and confederations and FIFA) have the option to modify all or some of the following organisational areas of the Laws of the Game for football for which they are responsible:p20 · cited by 1 page
- For all levels of the game:p20 · cited by 2 pages
- the number of substitutes each team is permitted to use in official competitions up to a maximum of five*, except in youth football, where the maximum will be determined by the national association, confederation or FIFAp20 · 1
- the use of additional permanent concussion substitutions (applying The IFAB's protocol)p20 · 1
- the implementation of the ‘Only the captain' guidelines (this will be compulsory for all competitions starting on or after 1st July 2027)p20 · 2
- * See also Law 3 for the conditions that apply to matches that go to extra time and details on the restriction on substitution opportunities.p20 · cited by 1 page
- For youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football:p21 · cited by 1 page
- size of the field of playp21 · 1
- size, weight and material of the ballp21 · 1
- width between the goalposts and height of the crossbar from the groundp21 · 1
- duration of the two (equal) halves of the game (and two equal halves of extra time)p21 · 1
- number of playersp21 · 1
- use of return substitutesp21 · 1
- use of temporary dismissals (sin bins) for some/all cautions (YCs)p21 · 1
- specific requirements for the captain's compulsory armbandp21 · 1
- national FAs, confederations and FIFA have the flexibility to decide the age restrictions for youth and veterans footballp21 · 1
- each national FA will determine which competitions at the lowest levels of football are designated as ‘grassroots' footballp21 · 2
- There are times when a potential Law change needs to be tested or trialled to evaluate both the expected and unexpected impacts that it may have on the game.p21 · cited by 1 page
- Confederations, national FAs and competition organisers must have permission from The IFAB to take part in any such trials.p21 · cited by 1 page
- In 2026/27, The IFAB will mainly focus on trials related to delays caused by goalkeeper injuries and on continuing to explore alternative offside concepts.p21 · cited by 1 page
- Time-limited substitution protocolp22 · cited by 1 page
- This protocol relates to the Law 3 requirement for a substituted player to leave the field of play within ten seconds to prevent time-wasting and disruption to the tempo of the match.p22 · cited by 2 pages
- Once the substitution board has been shown or, where there is no substitution board, the referee signals for a substitution to take place,* the player being substituted must leave the field of play:p22 · 1
- within ten secondsp22 · 1
- at the nearest point on the boundary line, unless indicated otherwise by the refereep22 · 1
- The referee may visually count down the last five seconds with a raised hand; this visual countdown may be accompanied by a verbal countdown where appropriate.p22 · 1
- If the player being substituted has not left the field of play within the ten seconds:p22 · 1
- they must still leave the field of play as quickly as possiblep22 · 1
- the substitute is not permitted to enter the field of playp22 · 1
- play restartsp22 · 1
- the substitution cannot be cancelled nor the substitute changedp22 · 1
- the substitute may only enter the field of play at the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed following the restart and after receiving a signal from the refereep22 · 1
- The one minute is timed using a running clock and is determined by the referee, who may be assisted by the other match officials.p23 · 2
- If more than one substitution is made during a stoppage, all players being substituted must be off the field of play within ten seconds of the substitution board being shown/signal being given for the final substitution; the board/signal must not be delayed between substitutions that are made during the same stoppage.p23 · 1
- Where the ten seconds are exceeded and the substitute is prevented from entering the field of play, the player being substituted is only cautioned (yellow card) if the delay is excessive.p23 · 1
- The referee may decide not to apply the ten-second time limit, including when:p23 · 2
- a player's injury clearly prevents them from leaving the field within that timep23 · 2
- a player cannot leave the field at the nearest point on the boundary line due to safety/security reasonsp23 · 2
- As the purpose of the countdown is to maintain the tempo of the match by preventing time-wasting, if the player being substituted is very close to or crossing the boundary line as the referee reaches the end of the countdown, the substitute should be allowed to enter the field of play.p23 · cited by 1 page
- This protocol relates to the Law 5 requirement for an outfield player who is assessed and/or treated on the field of play,* or whose injury causes play to be stopped, to leave the field of play and remain off it for a period of one minute after the restart.p24 · cited by 4 pages
- *Law 5 permits treatment on the field of play only in certain circumstances (see below).p24 · cited by 1 page
- The purpose is to give the medical staff the necessary time off the field of play to evaluate the player's injury and determine whether they should continue playing, as well as to reduce disruption to the tempo of the match.p24 · cited by 1 page
Procedure
- An outfield player is required to leave the field of play for one minute after the restart in the event of one or more of the following:p24 · 3
- play is stopped because the player has an actual or suspected injuryp24 · 2
- the referee has signalled for the medical staff to enter the field of playp24 · 2
- the referee has asked the player if they require on-field medical attention and the player has requested itp24 · 2
- The medical staff should be given sufficient time to carry out an initial assessment on the field but should not treat the player on the field unless it is a serious injury.p24 · 1
- After any initial assessment, the player must leave the field of play (except as outlined below) and remain off it until play has restarted and one minute has elapsed (running clock).p24 · 2
- The one-minute period off the field of play begins when play restarts.p25 · 2
- The one minute is timed using a running clock and is determined by the referee, who may be assisted by the other match officials.p25 · 2
- The player may only return with the referee's permission; they must re-enter from the touchline if the ball is in play but may re-enter from any boundary line if the ball is not in play.p25 · 2
- If the injured player is substituted, the substitution is not delayed.p25 · 2
- If the first half ends before the one minute has elapsed, the player may return as from the beginning of the second half; this principle applies to:p25 · 1
- the period between the end of normal time and the start of extra timep25 · 1
- half-time in extra timep25 · 1
- the period between the end of extra time and penalties (penalty shoot-out)p25 · 1
- the player:p25 · 2
- indicates that they do not require medical attention, except where play was stopped for the injury; orp25 · 2
- voluntarily leaves the field during play or a stoppage, provided that this does not delay the restartp25 · 2
- there is an injury for which Law 5 permits a player to be treated on the field of play:p25 · 2
- a goalkeeper is injuredp25 · 2
- a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need attentionp25 · 1
- players from the same team have collided and need attentionp25 · 1
- a severe injury has occurred, especially a head injury (e.g. concussion), cardiac issue or life-threatening event (e.g. seizure, choking etc.)p25 · 1
- a player is injured as the result of a physical offence for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off (e.g. reckless or serious foul challenge)p25 · 2
- a penalty kick has been awarded and the injured player will be the kickerp25 · 1
- This protocol relates to the five-second countdown in Laws 15 and 16 to prevent time-wasting and disruption to the tempo of the match at throw-ins and goal kicks. If the time limit is exceeded, the restart is taken by the opposing team.p26 · cited by 6 pages
- When the referee determines that a throw-in/goal kick is being deliberately delayed by the team taking the restart:p26 · cited by 10 pages
- The referee may use their whistle and/or voice to indicate that the player should hurry up/not delay the restart.p26 · 1
- To start the five-second countdown (which may start without the above cue) the referee will:p26 · 4
- blow the whistlep26 · 2
- signal clearly with their hand/arm for the restart to be takenp26 · 2
- visually count down from five seconds with a raised hand; this visual countdown may be accompanied by a verbal countdown where appropriatep26 · 4
- If the ball is not in play at the end of the five-second countdown, the referee will:p26 · 6
- award the throw-in to the opposing team, to be taken from the same position as the original throw-in; orp26 · 4
- award a corner kick to the opposing team on the side of the field closest to where the goal kick was to be takenp26 · 3
- Where the restart is awarded to the opposing team, a caution (yellow card) applies only if the player or a team-mate then excessively delays the restart by the opposing team.p26 · 5
- slowly retrieving the ballp27 · 3
- taking up an incorrect position at a throw-inp27 · 2
- putting the ball in an incorrect position at a goal kickp27 · 2
- As the purpose of the countdown is to maintain the tempo of the match by preventing time-wasting at throw-ins and goal kicks, the player should not be penalised if they are in the process of throwing/kicking the ball as the referee reaches the end of the countdown.p27 · cited by 3 pages
- ‘Only the captain' guidelinesp28 · cited by 2 pages
- These guidelines will become a compulsory protocol for all competitions starting on or after 1st July 2027.p28 · cited by 2 pages
- Respect and fairness are core values of football, but referees and other match officials are regularly subjected to verbal and/or physical dissent when they make decisions. In extreme cases, players sometimes run at referees and surround or mob them, which shows a lack of respect for the referee, harms the image of the game and can be intimidating and upsetting.p28 · cited by 1 page
- Stronger collaboration between the referee and the team captains can help instil fairness and mutual respect. In this regard, so that the referee can explain key decisions, only the captains will be allowed to approach the referee, provided that they do so respectfully and conduct themselves as such. At the same time, it will be the responsibility of each captain to ensure that their team-mates remain a reasonable distance from the referee and do not interfere in the interaction between the referee and the team captain(s).p28 · cited by 2 pages
- The following simple guidelines should assist organisers of competitions wishing to apply the ‘only the captain' principles.p28 · cited by 1 page
- Normal interactions between players and the referee are allowed and remain important (to promote transparency and avoid possible frustration and conflict)p28 · 1
- Any player (including the captain) who shows dissent by word or action will be cautioned (yellow card)p28 · 1
- The referee will, where appropriate, explain important decisions to the captain(s) and/or the player(s) involved in an incidentp28 · 1
- To prevent players mobbing or surrounding the referee in major situations and following key incidents or decisions:p29 · 2
- only one player from each team – usually the captain – is allowed to approach the referee and, when doing so, they must always interact in a respectful mannerp29 · 2
- the referee may instruct/encourage players (verbally or with gestures) not to approach themp29 · 1
- the team captains are responsible for helping to direct their team-mates away from the refereep29 · 1
- players who approach/surround the referee when they are not permitted to do so may be cautioned (yellow card)p29 · 2
- if appropriate, the referee may delay the restart of play to allow the captain(s) time to speak with their team-mates to explain a decision, demand proper behaviour, etc.p29 · 1
- Interaction with, or an approach by, any player other than the captain is at the discretion of the referee, e.g. if the player has committed an offence, been fouled and/or is injuredp29 · 2
- Where the goalkeeper is the captain, the referee must be told, no later than at the coin toss before kick-off, which player is nominated to approach the referee instead of the goalkeeperp29 · 1
- Only the goalkeeper or the nominated player, not both, may approach the refereep29 · 1
- If the nominated player is substituted or sent off, another player must be nominatedp29 · 1
- Option for youth, veterans, disability and grassroots footballp30 · cited by 2 pages
- The guidelines below apply only to youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football.p30 · cited by 2 pages
- The referee can initiate the ‘only the captain' guidelines by blowing the whistle and using the following signal:p30 · 2
- Raising both arms above their head and crossing them at the wristsp30 · 1
- Uncrossing their arms and moving them in front of their body with their palms open in a forward pushing motion to indicate that the players must not approachp30 · 1
- A captain-only zone will then extend for 4 m (4.5 yds) around the refereep30 · 2
- Where appropriate, the referee may move away from the players to create the captain-only zonep30 · 1
- No player is permitted to enter the captain-only zone except each team's captain, who should wear an identifying armbandp30 · 2
- The captain has a degree of responsibility for encouraging team-mates to respect the captain-only zone and remain at least 4 m (4.5 yds) away from the refereep30 · 1
- If one player other than the captain enters the captain-only zone, the offender should be cautioned (YC) for dissent by actionp31 · 2
- If more than one player from a team enters the captain-only zone, at least one player must be cautioned (YC) – this will usually be the first unauthorised player to enter the captain-only zone or the player whose approach is most aggressivep31 · 2
- Any incident in which more than one unauthorised player from a team enters the captain-only zone must be reported to the appropriate authorities after the match*p31 · 2
- * It is strongly recommended that competition organisers have sanctions in place to deal with situations where more than one player from a team enters the captain-only zone.p31 · cited by 1 page
- Temporary dismissals (sin bins) for all or some cautionable (YC) offences are an option in youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football competitions, subject to the approval of the competition's national FA, confederation or FIFA (whichever is appropriate).p32 · cited by 3 pages
- The 138th Annual General Meeting of The IFAB approved a revised version of the ‘Guidelines for temporary dismissals (sin bins)'.p32 · cited by 1 page
Reference to temporary dismissals is found in:
- The referee 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 penalties (penalty shoot-out).p32 · cited by 1 page
- A temporary dismissal is when a player commits a cautionable (YC) offence and is punished by an immediate ‘suspension' from participating in the next part of the match. The philosophy is that an ‘instant punishment' can have a significant and immediate positive influence on the behaviour of the offending player and, potentially, the player's team.p32 · cited by 1 page
- The national FA, confederation or FIFA should approve (for publication in the competition rules) a temporary dismissal protocol within the following guidelines:p32 · cited by 1 page
- Players onlyp33 · cited by 2 pages
- The length of the temporary dismissal is the same for all offencesp33 · 2
- The length of the temporary dismissal should be 10-15% of the total playing time (e.g. 10 minutes in a 90-minute match; 8 minutes in an 80-minute match)p33 · 1
- The temporary dismissal period begins when play restarts after the player has left the field of playp33 · 1
- The referee should include in the temporary dismissal period any time ‘lost' for a stoppage for which ‘additional time' will be allowed at the end of the half (e.g. substitution, injury, goal celebration, etc.)p33 · 1
- Competitions must decide who will help the referee time the dismissal period – it could be the responsibility of a delegate, fourth official or neutral assistant referee; conversely it could be a team officialp33 · 1
- Once the temporary dismissal period has been completed, the player can return from the touchline with the referee's permission, when the ball is next out of playp33 · 1
- The referee has the final decision as to when the player can returnp33 · 1
- A temporarily dismissed player can only be substituted after the temporary dismissal period has ended (and only if the team has not used all its permitted substitutes and/or substitution opportunities, if applicable)p33 · 1
- If a temporary dismissal period has not been completed at the end of the first half, the remaining period is served from the start of the second half; this also applies in extra timep33 · 3
- If a temporary dismissal period has not been completed at the end of the second half when extra time is to be played, the remaining period is served from the start of extra timep33 · 2
- A player who is still serving a temporary dismissal at the end of the match is permitted to take part in penalties (penalty shoot-out) as temporary dismissals are not used during penalties (penalty shoot-out)p34 · 2
- System A – for all cautionable (YC) offencesp34 · 1
- System B – for some cautionable (YC) offencesp34 · 1
- All cautionable (YC) offences are punished with a temporary dismissalp34 · 2
- A player who receives a second caution (YC) in the same match:p34 · 2
- will serve a second temporary dismissal period and then take no further part in the matchp34 · 1
- may be replaced by a substitute at the end of the second temporary dismissal period if the player's team has not used its maximum number of substitutes and/or substitution opportunities, if applicable (this is because the team has already been ‘punished' by playing without that player for two temporary dismissal periods)p34 · 1
- A predefined list of cautionable (YC) offences will be punished by a temporary dismissalp35 · 2
- All other cautionable (YC) offences are punished with a yellow card but no temporary dismissalp35 · 2
- A player who receives two cautions (YCs) in the same match is sent off (RC), even if one caution is/both cautions are for a temporary dismissal offencep35 · 1
Reference to return substitutions is found in:
- 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.p36 · cited by 1 page
- A ‘return substitute' is a player who has already played in the match and has been substituted (a substituted player) and later in the match returns to play by replacing another player.p36 · cited by 1 page
- Apart from the dispensation for a substituted player to return to play in the match, all other provisions of Law 3 and the Laws of the Game apply to return substitutes. In particular, the substitution procedure outlined in Law 3 must be followed.p36 · cited by 1 page
- An additional permanent concussion substitution occurs when a player who has an actual or suspected concussion is substituted and takes no further part in the match. This substitution does not count as one of the ‘normal' permitted substitutions (or substitution opportunities, where applicable).p38 · cited by 3 pages
Reference to additional permanent concussion substitutions is found in:
- Competitions may use additional permanent concussion substitutions in accordance with the protocol listed under ‘Notes and modifications'.p38 · cited by 1 page
- NB: Although two different protocols were used during the trials, a single protocol was approved at The IFAB AGM and must be used in its entirety.p38 · cited by 1 page
- Each team is permitted to use a maximum of one ‘concussion substitute' in a match.p39 · 1
- A‘concussion substitution' may be made regardless of the number of substitutes already used.p39 · 1
- In competitions in which the number of named substitutes is the same as the maximum number of ‘normal substitutes' that can be used, the ‘concussion substitute' can be a player who has previously been substituted and may be used at any time, regardless of the number of substitutes already used.p39 · 1
- When a ‘concussion substitute' is used, the opposing team then has the option to use an ‘additional substitute' for any reason.p39 · 1
- The substitution procedure operates in accordance with Law 3 – The Players (except as outlined otherwise below).p39 · 1
- A ‘concussion substitution' may be made:p39 · 1
- immediately after a concussion occurs or is suspected;p39 · 1
- after an on-field assessment and/or an off-field assessment; orp39 · 1
- at any other time when a concussion occurs or is suspected, including when a player has previously been assessed and has returned to the field of play.p39 · 1
- If a team decides to make a ‘concussion substitution', the referee/fourth official is informed, ideally by using a substitution card/form of a different colour.p39 · 1
- The player with concussion or suspected concussion is not permitted to take any further part in the match, including penalties (penalty shoot-out), and should, where possible, be accompanied to the dressing room and/or a medical facility.p39 · 1
- The opposing team is informed by the referee/fourth official that it has the option of using an ‘additional substitute' and an ‘additional substitution' opportunity, which may be used concurrently with the ‘concussion substitution' made by the other team or at any time thereafter (except as outlined otherwise in the Laws of the Game).p39 · 1
- Making a ‘concussion substitution' is separate from any limit on the number of ‘normal substitution' opportunities.p40 · 1
- However, if a team makes a ‘normal substitution' at the same time as a ‘concussion substitution', this will count as one of its ‘normal substitution' opportunities.p40 · 1
- Once a team has used all its ‘normal substitution' opportunities, it cannot use a ‘concussion substitution' to make a ‘normal substitution'.p40 · 1
- Where a team makes a ‘concussion substitution', the opposing team can use an ‘additional substitute' and receives an ‘additional substitution' opportunity. This additional opportunity can be used only for the ‘additional substitute' and not for a ‘normal substitute'.p40 · 1
- Match officialsp40 · cited by 1 page
- The referee and other match officials, especially the fourth official:p40 · cited by 1 page
- are not part of a team's decision-making process as to whether a player should be substituted or not, nor whether a player should be replaced by a ‘normal substitute' or a ‘concussion substitute';p40 · 1
- must not decide whether an actual or suspected injury qualifies for a ‘concussion substitute' to be used;p40 · 1
- should give appropriate support where a player has an actual or suspected injury, including by informing the team captain, coach and/or medical staff if they suspect that a player needs to be assessed and/or treated;p40 · 1
- should support a decision by the team captain, coach and/or medical staff that an injured player cannot continue playing, which may require the referee to delay the restart until after the player has left the field of play; andp40 · 1
- must inform the appropriate authorities if there are concerns that a ‘concussion substitution' has been made inappropriately.p40 · 1
Provisions this site does not cite are not listed, so this is not a copy of the Laws. The full text is published by The IFAB. All laws.