Laws of the Game 2017/18 Summary of Law Changes for Players, Coaches and the Media
Law 3 The Players If a player who has gone off the field, and needs the referee s permission to return (e.g. injured, changing footwear etc.), comes back onto the field without the referee s permission and interferes with play it is a yellow card (YC) and a direct free kick * * Penalty kick if the direct free kick offence occurs in the offender s penalty area 2
Law 4 The Players Equipment Electronic and communication equipment Players are forbidden to wear/use any electronic or communication equipment, except electronic performance and tracking systems (EPTS) All EPTS equipment must have a minimum safety standard mark; systems already in use have a transition period to obtain this mark which ends on 31 May 2018 Team officials in the technical area may only use communication equipment for player safety/welfare There will be a consultation about other electronic communication in the technical area 3
Law 5 The Referee Law 5 now contains an important statement that decisions made by match officials must always be respected (even when they appear to be wrong) The IFAB and FIFA hope this will be publicised and supported by everyone in the game Law 8 The Start and Restart of Play The kicker is permitted to stand in the opponents half to take the kick-off 4
Law 10 Determining the Outcome of the Match A goalkeeper who is unable to continue may be replaced by an excluded player to equalise the numbers (e.g. opponents had a players sent off), even if all substitutes have been used Penalties at the end of the match (kicks from the penalty mark) A goalkeeper who commits an offence causing the penalty to be retaken must be cautioned (YC) If the goalkeeper and the kicker offend at the same time: - If the goal is not scored, the kick must be retaken and the two players must be cautioned (YC) - If a goal is scored, the kicker is cautioned (YC) and the kick is recorded as missed 5
Law 11 Offside Offside guidance: When a player who is in an offside position is fouled, the foul is awarded only if the player is not already attempting to play or challenge for the ball Players in an offside position who interfere with (or block ) defenders will be penalised under Law 12 6
Law 11 Offside Offside guidance: A player in offside position who is fouled before committing an offside offence Foul 7
Law 11 Offside Offside guidance: A player in offside position who is fouled when committing an offside offence Offside 8
Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct Stopping a promising attack in the penalty area is not penalised with a caution (YC) if the offence was an attempt to play the ball 9
Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct Goal celebration A goal celebration which causes safety/security issues is penalised with caution (YC) 10
Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct If a player commits an offence off the field against an opposing player, substitute or team official, or a match official, it is a free kick on the boundary line * If a substitute or a team official commits an offence off the field against an opponent or match official, it is a free kick on the boundary line * * Penalty kick if the direct free kick offence occurs in the offender s penalty area 11
Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct If a player, substitute or team official throws/kicks an object (including a ball) onto the field it is a direct free kick * if it interferes with play or a match official If a player throws/kicks an object (including a ball) off the field at an opposing player, substitute or team official, or a match official, it is a direct free kick on the boundary line * * Penalty kick if the direct free kick offence occurs in the offender s penalty area 12