Summary of Changes to the 2017-18 Laws of the Game the Soccer Rules

ALL LAWS

• • Replace ‘infringement/infringe’ etc. with ‘offence/offend’ etc.

LAW 1 – THE FIELD OF PLAY

• • Artificial turf may be used for the lines on a grass field if not dangerous 

LAW 3 – THE PLAYERS                                                         

• • National FAs can allow a maximum of five substitutions (except at the top level)
  • National FAs can now allow return substitutions in youth, veterans and disability football
  • Clearer wording for the substitution procedure
  • A substitution made at half-time without informing referee is not a caution (YC) offence
  • Changing the goalkeeper at half-time without informing the referee is not a caution (YC)
  • Player who enters the field of play without the referee’s permission (if it is required) and interferes is punished with a direct free kick (FK)
  • Team scoring a goal with an extra person on the field is punished with a direct FK

LAW 4 – THE PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT

• • Goalkeeper caps are not included in the list of restrictions on head covers
  • Players are not permitted to wear/use any electronic or communication equipment, except electronic performance and tracking systems/EPTS); technical staff may only use communication equipment for safety/welfare issues
  • All EPTS equipment must bear a minimum safety standard mark

LAW 5 – THE REFEREE

• • Important statement that decisions made by match officials must always be respected
  • National FAs can allow temporary dismissals (sin bins) for some/all cautions (YC) in youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football (Guidelines for both systems will be published)
  • A medical official guilty of a dismissible offence may stay/treat players if no other medical person is available for the team

LAW 7 – THE DURATION OF THE MATCH

• • A short drinks break is permitted at half-time of extra time

LAW 8 – THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY

• • Kicker can stand in the opponents’ half at the kick-off 

LAW 10 – DETERMINING THE OUTCOME OF A MATCH

• • Extra time must be two equal periods, maximum 15 minutes each 

KICKS FROM THE PENALTY MARK (KFPM)

• • Corrected wording for goalkeeper who is unable to continue
  • Excluded player may replace a goalkeeper even if team has used all its permitted substitutes
  • Kicker may not play the ball a second time
  • A goalkeeper who offends and the penalty has to be retaken must be cautioned (YC)
  • If the kicker offends the kick is forfeited (recorded as ‘missed’)
  • If the goalkeeper and kicker offend at the same time:
  • retake and two cautions (YCs) if no goal is scored
  • if a goal is scored the kicker is cautioned (YC) and kick recorded as ‘missed