The IFAB
@TheIFAB
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We are The IFAB. We govern and develop the Laws of the Game of association football. Follow the news!
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Pinned Tweet
Now available for pre-order: printed Laws of the Game 2024/25 book, available in English, German, French & Spanish!
➡️
The new Laws will also become available on and in the Laws of the Game app:
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@sarath92mohan
Hi, thank you for your question and interest in the Laws of the Game.
Moving towards the ball is NOT an offside offence (unless it involves challenging an opponent for the ball) so the foul must be penalised.
Best regards
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!Clarification!
Contrary to some incorrect reports in the media related to the penalty kick procedure (Law 14), the ball will remain in play in the event of a penalty kick rebounding from the goalkeeper, crossbar or goalposts. This matter was not even discussed at the last AGM.
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⚽ HISTORIC DECISION: The IFAB`s General Assembly has just approved Video Assistant Referees to be used on a permanent basis. The VAR system has been trialled over the past two years in almost 1,000 football matches.
Read more about the news of the day!
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Questions & Answers: OFFSIDE OR PENALTY KICK?
A player in an offside position is moving towards the ball and is fouled in the penalty area before playing the ball or challenging an opponent for the ball.
➡️
❓
#AskTheIFAB
question about
#LawsOfTheGame
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Five-substitute option extended until 31 December 2022 in response to ongoing COVID-19 impact
➡️
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Now available for download: list of changes and clarifications to the Laws of the Game 2023/24, effective as from 1 July
➡️EN:
➡️FR:
➡️ES:
➡️DE:
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⚽️ NOW AVAILABLE: summary and detailed explanation of all changes to the Laws of the Game 2019/2020, including:
➡️ Handball
➡️ Yellow/red cards for team officials
➡️ Substitutions
➡️ Goal kicks and free kicks
Find out more:
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OFFICIAL: Five substitutes option temporarily allowed to competition organisers ⚽️
➡️ News release:
➡️ Circulars:
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⚽️ Laws of the Game 2019/20 come into force on 1 June. Explore them with the FIRST-EVER OFFICIAL APP from The IFAB – free and available to everyone!
➡️ DOWNLOAD:
➡️ FIND OUT MORE:
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🇲🇽 OFFICIAL: First-ever club matches with Video Assistant Referees in Mexico this weekend!
Today The IFAB approved use of VAR in 9
@LIGABancomerMX
games.
⚽️ Historic match in top division:
@atlasfc
VS
@ClubTiburones
buena suerte!
@FMF
@fifacom_es
➡️
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IT IS OFFICIAL: the Laws of the Game 2019/2020 are now approved by The IFAB!
⚽Which main changes to association football will come into force as from 1 June?
➡️ Find out the results:
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Laws of the Game 2023/24 now available on all IFAB platforms in up to 7 languages!
➡️ Website:
➡️ App:
➡️ PDF:
➡️ Law changes incl. videos:
➡️ Printed book: …
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EXPLANATION
For the purposes of HANDBALL, the arm starts at the bottom/end of the armpit.
⚽️ Keep up to date with all changes:
#LOTG202021
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⚽️ 2 years testing, almost 1,000 matches, more than 25 competitions – the green light to VAR is given! What are the experiment results?
📺 Watch full behind-the-scenes video about VAR:
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Now available: full pdf edition of the Laws of the Game 2021/22
➡️ English:
➡️ German:
➡️ French:
➡️ Spanish:
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What is the difference between use of VAR ‘check’ and ‘review’ signal?
CHECK: referee stops play by pointing finger to ear and extending other hand/arm to communicate with the VAR
REVIEW: referee makes the ‘TV signal’ and changes or confirms his decision
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It's time for a substitution! Happy New Year from all of us at The IFAB!
In which part of the world are you celebrating?
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136th Annual General Meeting: The IFAB permanently approves five-substitute option in top-level competitions
➡️
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NEW: the full Laws of the Game 2019/20 ⚽️ NOW AVAILABLE on our website in 4 languages!
Keep up to date with all changes and download the new edition.
#LawsOfTheGame
come into force on 1 June 2019.
➡️ English
➡️ Español
➡️ Français
➡️ Deutsch
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3/3
OFFENCE
scoring in the opponents’ goal:
➡️ directly from the scorer’s hand/arm
➡️ immediately after the ball has touched the scorer’s hand/arm
Accidental handball by a team-mate before a goal and accidental handball creating a goal-scoring opportunity are NOT now offences.
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Now available: complete list of changes to the Laws of the Game 2021/22, recently approved at the 135th IFAB AGM
➡️ English:
➡️ German:
➡️ French:
➡️ Spanish:
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NOW AVAILABLE: the 2020/21 edition of the Laws of the Game ⚽️
➡️ DOWNLOAD in English, Español, Français, Deutsch:
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⚽️ ARABIC version of the Laws of the Game NOW AVAILABLE for download!
➡️
Owing to translation done by
@fifacom_ar
Referee Instructors.
@LesVerts
@saudiFF
@EFA
@JordanFA
@QFA
@FRMFOFFICIEL
@IRAQFA
@OmanFA
@KuwaitFA
@uaefa_ae
@bfainfo
@Yemenfa
@Lebanon_FA
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New: LAW CHANGES 2019/2020
When HANDBALL should (and should not) be penalised? Referees, players and everyone in football have the new clear guidelines from The IFAB.
⚽️ All changes explained:
➡️
#LawsOfTheGame
will come into force on 1 June 2019.
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Law 11 - Offside: ‘deliberate play’ guidelines clarified
➡️ News release:
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Now available for download: full pdf edition of the Laws of the Game 2022/23 and related Law changes documents
EN:
DE:
FR:
ES:
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NEW: The Laws of the Game 2018/19 ⚽ are coming into force on Friday 1 June 2018, including additions related to video assistant referees.
➡ Download the complete Laws on our website:
➡ Learn more about all latest changes:
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IFAB advisory panels meet virtually to discuss improvements in the game
➡️
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OFFICIAL: Five-substitute option extended into 2021 in response to COVID-19 pandemic ⚽️
➡️ News release:
➡️ Circulars:
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@ArthurB_oz
If the referee considers the use/movement of the arm/elbow to be careless then it can still be an offence - 'intent' is not a requirement.
Best regards, The IFAB
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⚽️ Complete list plus explanations of all changes to the Laws of the Game 2020/21 is now available for download in English, French, German, and Spanish:
➡️
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Happy New Year from all of us at The IFAB!
We wish you an exciting football year 2021.
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135th Annual General Meeting: The IFAB clarifies handball Law and confirms decision on concussion substitute trials
➡️
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IFAB Annual Business Meeting supports recommendations to improve the game
➡️
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HOW FOOTBALL HAS CHANGED?
Penalty kick - originally called ‘kick of death’ - became a part of game in 1891. Until 1902 it was not taken from one mark but anywhere along a line 12 yds (11 m) from a goal.
@HKane
, did you know that?
➡️
#TBT
#LawsOfTheGame
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Today, the Laws of the Game 2021/22 come into force.
Check out the different options to access the 2021/22 Laws:
➡️ IFAB website:
➡️ PDF:
➡️ Laws of the Game app:
➡️ Printed book:
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IFAB advisory panels recommend making five-substitute option permanent
➡️ News release:
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⚽️ LAW CHANGES 2019/2020
When should HANDBALL be penalised and when not? Keep up to date with the new guidelines from The IFAB:
➡️ Find out more with the official app:
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We welcome
@MehdiMadavikia
🇮🇷 who will represent
@theafcdotcom
on our Football Advisory Panel!
IRAN LEGEND
110 games for national team
2003 AFC Asian Footballer of the Year
BUNDESLIGA
11 years in
@Bundesliga_EN
216 matches/26 goals/51 assists for
@HSV
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The Laws of the Game 2022/23 have come into force today! Access the new Laws via:
➡️ (website)
➡️ (app)
➡️ (pdf)
➡️ (printed book)
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OFFICIAL: the Laws of the Game 2020/21 are now approved by The IFAB!
⚽️ Which main changes to association football will come into force as from 1 June?
➡️ Decisions taken:
#LawsOfTheGame
#LOTG202021
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JUAN CARLOS PLATA - top scorer in the history of Guatemalan football - will represent
@Concacaf
as one of new members on our Football Advisory Panel.
CAREER:
⚽️ 411 goals
🇬🇹 35 goals for national team
🏆 15 league titles in one club
@Rojos_Municipal
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Thanks to official translations from national football associations, the Laws of the Game 2021/22 are now also available in:
➡️ Portuguese
➡️ Italian
➡️ Russian
➡️ Ukrainian
➡️ Malaysian
PDF files:
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1/3
LAW CHANGES 21/22
Law 12 emphasises that not every touch of a player’s hand/arm with the ball is an offence.
A player’s hand/arm position should be judged in relation to their body movement in that particular situation.
Presentation incl. videos:
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⚽️ Referees and players, coaches and managers, journalists and fans – what we all have in common is our ❤️ for football.
And the beautiful game would not be the same without women🌹
🎉 We wish you a Happy Women’s Day and we thank you for your passion and commitment to football!
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⚽️ HOW DROPPED BALL HAS CHANGED❓
From 2012: if a dropped ball was kicked DIRECTLY into:
➡️ the opponents’ goal – a goal kick
➡️ the team’s own goal – a corner kick
Since 2016: a dropped ball must be touched by AT LEAST 2 PLAYERS before entering the goal.
#ThrowbackThursday
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137th Annual General Meeting: VAR decision communications trials confirmed by The IFAB
➡️
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Recommendation on permanent five-substitute option supported at IFAB Annual Business Meeting
➡️ News release:
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New: LAW CHANGES 2020/21
If the referee plays ADVANTAGE for an offence which ‘interfered with or stopped a promising attack’, the caution (yellow card, YC) is NOT issued.
⚽️ Download the app:
➡️ All changes explained:
#LOTG202021
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🇮🇹 Legendary referee, current Chairman of FIFA Referees Committee, The IFAB expert
PIERLUIGI COLLINA was named “World’s Best Referee” (1998-2003)
➡
@SerieA
Debut 1991
Referee of the Year 7 times
➡
@FIFAcom
Referee 1995-2005
@FIFAWorldCup
Final 2002
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New: LAW CHANGES 2019/20 ⚽️
Goalkeepers cannot score by throwing the ball directly into the opponents’ goal – if they do, a goal kick is awarded to the opposing team.
➡️ Download the official app and keep up to date with changes
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HOW FOOTBALL HAS CHANGED?
Until the penalty kick has been taken...
➡️ 1930: the goalkeeper must not move his/her feet.
➡️ As from 1 June 2019: the goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot touching, or in line with, the goal line.
Find out more:
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Questions & Answers: HANDBALL OFFENCE?
An attacker takes a powerful shot on goal. A defender who is very close puts their hands in front of their face as a reflex action to protect their face and the ball hits their hands.
What is the correct decision?
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The idea behind VAR was a fairer
#WorldCup
and fewer errors. 95% of the match-changing decisions taken by the referees in the Group Stage were correct.
↗️ Thanks to the support from VAR the accuracy has increased to 99,3%.
@fifamedia
summary:
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NEW: 3 changes to VAR in
@Bundesliga_EN
announced by 🇩🇪
@DFB
and
@DFL_Official
- Message for stadium spectators after review (4 graphics = 4 match-changing decisions)
- 3 perspectives for TV viewers (replay, referee, VAR center)
- Quick information for broadcaster/commentators
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Laws of the Game 2018/2019
The Video Operation Room is where VAR, assistant VAR and replay operator work.
➡️ A player, substitute or substituted player who enters the VOR will be sent off.
➡️ A team official will be dismissed from the technical area.
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Fairer results, better player behaviour, 3 red cards in 48 games – FIFA summarised
#WorldCup
Group Stage.
Some people expected that VAR would interrupt match too often. Video Assistant Referees checked 335 situations, with only 1 decision in every 3 games that had been reviewed
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The IFAB approves permanent concussion substitutes among several changes to the Laws of the Game
➡️
Follow the press conference on
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The IFAB was founded
#OnThisDay
134 years ago!
The first meeting took place on 2 June 1886 in London.
⚽️ To this day it is The IFAB's responsibility to safeguard and amend the
#LawsOfTheGame
of association football.
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⚽️ LAW CHANGES 2019/20
A player who is being substituted must leave the field by the nearest point on the boundary line, unless otherwise directed by the referee.
➡️ All changes explained:
➡️ Download the official app:
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Happy New Year from all of us at The IFAB!
In which part of the world are you celebrating?
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⚽️ LAW CHANGES 2019/20
At goal kicks and for defending team free kicks in their penalty area, the ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves - it does NOT have to leave the penalty area.
All changes explained:
New APP:
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⚽️ HOW FOOTBALL HAS CHANGED
In 1897, The IFAB extended the power of the
#referee
to take disciplinary sanctions for offences committed when:
➡️ the play has been temporarily suspended or
➡️ the ball is out of play
#ThrowbackThursday
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New: LAW CHANGES 2020/21
An offence by the goalkeeper is NOT penalised if a penalty kick misses the goal or rebounds from the goal (without a touch from the goalkeeper) unless the offence clearly affected the kicker.
⚽️ Download the app:
#LOTG202021
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Want to know more about the changes to the Laws of the Game 2021/22? Have a look at the new Law changes section on our website, incl. video examples, in four languages:
➡️
➡️
➡️
➡️
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HOW FOOTBALL HAS CHANGED?
There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
➡ a corner kick – since 1880s
➡ a throw-in – since 1920
Read more:
#ThrowbackThursday
#LawsOfTheGame
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KICK-OFF: the 133rd Annual General Meeting of The IFAB has started in Aberdeen. ⚽
Find out more:
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The first-ever official mobile app from The IFAB presenting the Laws of the Game ⚽️ is used by professionals and fans throughout football. Thank you for your interest and feedback!
➡️ 6 continents
➡️ 188 countries
➡️ over 100 000 users
Download the app:
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We welcome Lydia Williams 🇦🇺 who will represent
@FIFAcom
as a new member of our Football Advisory Panel.
Experience:
@ArsenalWFC
goalkeeper
93 appearances
@TheMatildas
4x
@FIFAWWC
participant
@thepfa
executive member
➡️
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HOW FOOTBALL HAS CHANGED?
Only if a player in an offside position interferes with play, he/she will be penalised by a referee. This Law change was introduced in 1924.
➡️ Read more:
⚽️ Check the current Law:
#TBT
#LawsOfTheGame
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⚽️ Check out the MAIN CHANGES to the Laws of the Game 2020/21 with explanations on our website:
or in the Laws of the Game APP 2.0:
➡️
➡️
#LawsOfTheGame
#LOTG202021
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APPLY ADVANTAGE OR STOP PLAY❓
The referee considers whether playing advantage will benefit the non-offending team and:
☑️ the severity of the offence
☑️ the position of the offence
☑️ chances of an immediate, promising attack
☑️ atmosphere of the match
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HOW FOOTBALL HAS CHANGED?
Since 1880 a throw-in can be taken in any direction. Previously the ball had to be thrown in at right angles to the touchline.
Did you know that two-handed throw-in became legal in 1892?
➡️Read more about:
#ThrowbackThursday
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Happy New Year from all of us at The IFAB!
We wish you an exciting football year 2020!
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⚽️ What are the changes to the Laws of the Game 2019/20❓
➡️ Check the list of ALL CHANGES and watch video examples:
➡️ Download the OFFICIAL APP and get quick access to Laws, even when you are offline: |
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⚽️ Successful meeting of The IFAB in Zurich! The Advisory Panels continue to discuss on key topics.
➡️ Read more about the results:
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HANDBALL
A defender tries to kick the ball out. The ball hits the arm of another defender who is standing close in their penalty area and does not expect the ball to come from a team-mate.
What is the correct decision?
➡️ Video examples (slides 32-35):
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The Laws of the Game 2023/24 are now available in audio format, making them more accessible than ever before. Ideal for referees, coaches, players and fans on the go. Enhance your Law knowledge and understanding of the game.
➡️ Listen now:
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HOW FOOTBALL HAS CHANGED?
Corner kicks became a part of the game in 1872. Goal kicks were already introduced by then. Do you know when exactly?
➡️ Read more about:
#ThrowbackThursday
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KICK-OFF ⚽️
The 134th Annual General Meeting of The IFAB has just started in Belfast, hosted by
@OfficialIrishFA
.
➡️ changes to the Laws of the Game 2020/21
➡️ concussion
➡️ VAR
among other items for discussion:
#LawsOfTheGame
#LOTG202021
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Happy New Year 2024 from The IFAB!
In which part of the world are you celebrating?
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⚽ HOW FOOTBALL HAS CHANGED?
A yellow card 📙 for delaying the restart of play and a red card 📕 for spitting – these sanctions were introduced by The IFAB in 1997.
What does it mean to "delay the restart of play”? Which offences must be penalised?
➡
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⚽️ NEW Laws of the Game 2020/21 BOOK 📖 can now be pre-ordered in our webshop, until 24 April 2020:
The book is available in:
➡️ English
➡️ French
➡️ German
➡️ Spanish
✅ Check the list of all changes to the
#LawsOfTheGame
:
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⚽ Laws of the Game: INJURIES
May an injured goalkeeper be replaced during kicks from the penalty mark?
➡ Find out more:
❓
#AskTheIFAB
your questions about the
#LawsOfTheGame
.
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If, at a penalty kick, a player has part of their body (foot, arm, head etc.) overhanging the penalty area in the air but not touching the ground, is this encroachment?
➡️ Reference: (Restart position)
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New: LAW CHANGES 2020/21
For the purposes of determining HANDBALL OFFENCES, the boundary between the shoulder (not handball) and the arm is defined as the bottom of the armpit.
⚽️ Download the Laws of the Game app:
#LOTG202021
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⚽️ Las REGLAS DE JUEGO 2019/20 entran en vigor el 1 de junio.
Ya es posible consultarlas a través de la PRIMERA APLICACIÓN MÓVIL publicada por The IFAB, gratuita y disponible para todos.
➡️ DESCARGAR
ℹ️
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VAR: Laws of the Game 2018/2019 ⚽
Players or substitutes who use the ‘review’ (TV) signal will be shown a yellow card.
Anyone entering the referee review area will be cautioned (player/substitute) or given a public warning (coach/team official).
☑
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117
100
⚽️ LAW CHANGES 2019/20
New dropped ball procedure:
➡️ ball is for goalkeeper (if play stopped in penalty area) OR
➡️ for one player of team that last touched the ball at the location of last touch.
All other players must be at least 4 m from the ball.
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⚽️ HOW FOOTBALL HAS CHANGED
In 2004, The IFAB confirmed that the only permitted procedures to determine the winning team after a drawn match are:
✅ away goals rule
✅ extra time
✅ kicks from the penalty mark
❌ The same year, the 'golden goal' was removed from the list.
#TBT
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Need quick access to the Laws of football – as a book 📘 or on your 📲smartphone?
Both will be available for you VERY soon!
⚽️ Full Laws of the Game 2019/20:
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⚽️ HOW FOOTBALL HAS CHANGED
When were on-field match officials introduced in football?
➡️ Referee 1891
➡️ Linesmen 1891 (Assistant referees since 1996)
➡️ Fourth official 1993
➡️ Reserve assistant referee 2007
➡️ Additional assistant referees 2016
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New: LAW CHANGES 2020/21
‘Accidental’ HANDBALL by an attacking player (or team-mate) is only penalised if it occurs ‘immediately’ before a goal or clear goal-scoring opportunity.
⚽️ Download the Laws of the Game app:
#LOTG202021
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Check out our new website , a simplified version of the official Laws of the Game designed to spread the awareness and understanding of the rules among all football fans and enthusiasts around the globe.
Whereas the Laws of the Game and…
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