Ruleside
Practical guidelines for match officialsRequired distance·Page 222, 2026/27 edition

Required distance

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

When a free kick is awarded very close to the AR, the AR may enter the field of play (usually at the request of the referee) to help ensure that the players are positioned 9.15 m (10 yds) from the ball. In this case, the referee must wait until the AR is back in position before restarting play.

IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, page 222 · clause law-x-a5ae8bfd

Verdicts that turn on it 1

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

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 Practical guidelines for match officials that Ruleside cites.