Law 5 - The Referee

The Authority of the Referee

Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed.
Powers and Duties
The Referee:

* enforces the Laws of the Game
* controls the match in co-operation with the assistant referees and, where applicable, with the fourth official
* ensures that any ball meets the requirements of Law 2
* ensures that the players’ equipment meets the requirements of Law 4
* acts as timekeeper and keeps a record of the match
* stops, suspends or terminates the match, at his discretion, for any infringements of the Laws
* stops, suspends or terminates the match because of outside interference of any kind
* stops the match if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that he is removed from the field of play – an injured player may only return to the field of play after the match has restarted
* allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his opinion, only slightly injured
* ensures that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a signal from the referee who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped
* allows play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalises the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time
* punishes the more serious offence when a player commits more than one offence at the same time
* takes disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off offences. He is not obliged to take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play
* takes action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may, at his discretion, expel them from the field of play and its immediate surrounds
* acts on the advice of assistant referees regarding incidents which he has not seen
* ensures that no unauthorised persons enter the field of play
* restarts the match after it has been stopped
* provides the appropriate authorities with a match report which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other incidents which occurred before, during or after the match
Decisions of the Referee

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he has not restarted play or terminated the match.

Decisions of the International FA
Board Decision 1

A referee (or where applicable, an assistant referee or fourth official) is not held liable for:

* Any kind of injury suffered by a player, official or spectator.
* Any damage to property of any kind
* Any other loss suffered by any individual, club, company, association or other body, which is due or which may be due to any decision which he may take under the terms of the Laws of the Game or in respect of the normal procedures required to hold, play and control a match

This may include:

* a decision that the condition of the field of play or its surrounds or that the weather conditions are such as to allow or not to allow a match to take place
* a decision to abandon a match for whatever reason
* a decision as to the condition of the fixtures or equipment used during a match including the goalposts, crossbar, flagposts and the ball
* a decision to stop or not to stop a match due to spectator interference or any problem in the spectator area
* a decision to stop or not to stop play to allow an injured player to be removed from the field of play for treatment
* a decision to request or insist that an injured player be removed from the field of play for treatment
* a decision to allow or not to allow a player to wear certain apparel or equipment
* a decision (in so far as this may be his responsibility) to allow or not to allow any persons (including team or stadium officials, security officers, photographers or other media representatives) to be present in the vicinity of the field of play
* any other decision which he may take in accordance with the Laws of the Game or in conformity with his duties under the terms of FIFA, Confederation, National Association or League rules or regulations under which the match is played

Decision 2

In tournaments or competitions where a fourth official is appointed, his role and duties must be in accordance with the guidelines approved by the International FA Board, which are contained in this publication.
Decision 3

Facts connected with play shall include whether a goal is scored or not and the result of the match.
The Technical Area

The technical area described in Law 3, International FA Board Decision No. 2, relates particularly to matches played in stadia with a designated seated area for technical staff and substitutes as shown below.

It is recognised that technical areas may vary between stadia, for example in size or location, and the following notes are issued for general guidance.

* The technical area extends 1m on either side of the designated seated area and extends forward up to a distance of 1m from the touch line
* It is recommended that markings are used to define this area
* The number of persons permitted to occupy the technical area is defined by the competition rules
* The occupants of the technical area are identified before the beginning of the match in accordance with the competition rules
* Only one person at a time is authorised to convey tactical instructions and he must return to his position immediately after giving these instructions
* The coach and other officials must remain within the confines of the technical area except in special circumstances, for example, a physiotherapist or doctor entering the field of play, with the referee’s permission, to assess an injured player
* The coach and other occupants of the technical area must behave in a responsible manner

Law 4 - The Players Equipment

Safety

A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery).

Basic Equipment
The basic compulsory equipment of a player comprises the following separate items:

* a jersey or shirt
if undergarments are worn, the colour of the sleeve should be the same main colour as the sleeve of the jersey or shirt
* shorts - if undershorts are worn, they are of the same main colour as the shorts
* stockings
* shinguards
* footwear
Shinguards

* are covered entirely by the stockings
* are made of a suitable material (rubber, plastic, or similar substances)
* provide a reasonable degree of protection

Goalkeepers

* each goalkeeper wears colours which distinguish him from the other players, the referee and the assistant referees

Infringements/Sanctions
For any infringement of this Law:

* play need not be stopped
* the player at fault is instructed by the referee to leave the field of play to correct his equipment
* the player leaves the field of play when the ball next ceases to be in play, unless he has already corrected his equipment
* any player required to leave the field of play to correct his equipment, does not reenter without the permission of the referee
* the referee checks that the player’s equipment is correct before allowing him to reenter the field of play
* the player is only allowed to re-enter the field of play when the ball is out of play

A player who has been required to leave the field of play because of an infringement of this Law and who enters (or re-enters) the field of play without the permission of the referee is cautioned and shown the yellow card.

Restart of Play

If play is stopped by the referee to administer a caution:

* the match is restarted by an indirect free kick taken by a player of the opposing side, from the place where the ball was when the referee stopped the match*

Decision of the International FA Board

* Players must not reveal undershirts which contain slogans or advertising. The basic compulsory equipment must not contain any political, religious or personal statements. A player removing his jersey to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by the competition organiser. The team of a player whose basic compulsory equipment contains political, religious or personal slogans or statements will be sanctioned by the competition organiser or by FIFA.
* Jerseys must have sleeves.

Law 3 - The Number of Players

Players

A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players.

Official Competitions

Up to a maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an official competition under the auspices of FIFA, the Confederations or the National Associations.The rules of the competition must state how many substitutes may be nominated, from three up to a maximum of seven.

Other Matches

In National A team matches, up to a maximum of six substitutes may be used.

In all other matches, a greater number of substitutes may be used provided that:

* the teams concerned reach agreement on a maxinum number
* the referee is informed before the match

If the referee is not informed, or if no agreement is reached before the match, no more than six substitutes are allowed.

All Matches

In all matches the names of the substitutes must be given to the referee prior to the start of the match. Substitutes not so named may not take part in the match.

Substitution Procedure

To replace a player by a substitute, the following conditions must be observed:

* the referee is informed before any proposed substitution is made
* a substitute only enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left and after receiving a signal from the referee
* a substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and during a stoppage in the match
* a substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play
* from that moment, the substitute becomes a player and the player he has replaced ceases to be a player
* a player who has been replaced takes no further part in the match
* all substitutes are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee, whether called upon to play or not

Changing the Goalkeeper

Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that:

* the referee is informed before the change is made
* the change is made during a stoppage in the match

lnfringements/Sanctions

If a substitute enters the field of play without the referee being informed:

* play is stopped
* the substitute is cautioned, shown the yellow card and required to leave the field of play
* play is restarted with an indirect free kick at the place it was located when play was stopped

If a player changes places with the goalkeeper without the referee being informed before the change is made:

* play continues
* the players concerned are cautioned and shown the yellow card when the ball is next out of play

For any other infringements of this Law:

* the players concerned are cautioned and shown the yellow card

Restart of Play

If play is stopped by the referee to administer a caution:

* the match is restarted by an indirect free kick, to be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the ball was when play was stopped*

Players and Substitutes Sent Off

A player who has been sent off before the kick-off may only be replaced by one of the named substitutes.

A named substitute who has been sent off either before the kick-off, or after play has started, may not be replaced.

Decisions of the International FA Board

Decision 1

Subject to the over-riding conditions of Law 3, the minimum number of players in a team is left to the discretion of National Associations. The Board is of the opinion however, that a match should not continue if there are fewer than seven players in either team.

Decision 2

A team official may convey tactical instructions to the players during the match and he must return to his position immediately after giving these instructions. All team officials must remain within the confines of the technical area, where such an area is provided, and they must behave in a responsible manner.

Law 2 - The Ball

Qualities and Measurements

The ball is:

• spherical
• made of leather or other suitable material
• of a circumference of not more than 70cm (28ins) and not less than 68cm (27ins)
• not more than 450g (16oz) in weight and not less than 410g (14oz) at the start of the match
• of a pressure equal to 0.6–1.1 atmosphere (600–1100g/cm2) at sea level (8.5lbs/sq.in 15.6lbs/sq.in)

Replacement of a Defective Ball

If the ball bursts or becomes defective during the course of a match:

• the match is stopped
• it is restarted by dropping the replacement ball at the place where the first ball became defective*

If the ball bursts or becomes defective whilst not in play at a kick off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick, penalty kick or throw-in:

• the match is restarted accordingly

The ball may not be changed during the match without the authority of the referee.