Laws of

the Game
2019/20
Changes and
clarifications
The International Football Association Board
March 2019
Contents

3 Introduction
5 Outline summary of Law changes
8 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

2 Contents
Introduction

The 133rd AGM of The International FA Board (The IFAB) in Aberdeen, Scotland on
2 March 2019 approved a number of amendments to, and clarifications of, the Laws of
the Game for 2019/20. Three changes were approved following 2 years of worldwide
experiments:
• The introduction of yellow and red cards for misconduct by team officials
• A player being substituted leaving the field at the nearest point on the boundary line
• At a goal kick and a free kick for the defending team in their own penalty area, the ball is
in play as soon the kick is taken (it can be played before it leaves the penalty area)

Other changes include: clearer wording for ‘handball’, attacking team players must be
at least 1m away from a defensive ‘wall’, the goalkeeper only has to have one foot on the
goal line at a penalty kick, and a new dropped ball procedure (including a dropped ball
being awarded if the ball hits a match official and goes into the goal, team possession
changes or a promising attack starts).

This document summarises the main changes and clarifications and also gives the precise
wording for each of the Law changes but does not include some editorial changes (e.g. new
order of bullet points etc.) which will be highlighted in the Laws of the Game 2019/20
book. This document is also available on The IFAB’s website (www.theifab.com) along
with a shorter ‘Law Changes 2019-20 – At a Glance’ document which summarises only
the major changes. Downloadable versions of the Laws of the Game 2019/20 in English,
French, German and Spanish will be available in mid/late May on The IFAB’s website,
along with details of the new IFAB Laws of the Game app.

All changes come into force on 1st June 2019. Competitions starting before that date may
apply the changes from the start of their competition, at an agreed point during the
competition (e.g. after the mid-season break) or may delay them until no later than the
start of the next competition.

3 Introduction
Introduction

Reminders
The IFAB and FIFA would like to remind everyone of two very important aspects of the
game:

• Captains
• The Laws of the Game state that the captain has ‘a degree of responsibility for the
behaviour of their team’ – captains are expected to use this responsibility to help
calm/positively influence the behaviour of their players, especially in
controversial/confrontational situations involving opponents or match officials

• Respect for Referees

• Players must respect all decisions made by the referee and other match officials
• Respect for the Laws of the Game and the match officials who apply the Laws is
paramount to the fairness and image of football

Key
The main Law changes are underlined; removed text is shown as: stroke through
YC = yellow card (caution); RC = red card (sending-off)

4 Introduction
Outline summary
of Law changes
Herewith a simple outline of the main changes/clarifications.

Law 3
• A player who is being substituted must leave the field at the nearest point on the
boundary line, unless otherwise directed by the referee

Law 4
• Undershirts can be multi-coloured/patterned if exactly the same as the sleeve of the
main shirt

Law 5
• Referee cannot change a restart decision after play has restarted but, in certain
circumstances, may issue a YC/RC for a previous incident
• If the referee leaves the field for a VAR review or to call players back to the field at the
end of a half, a decision can still be changed
• Team officials guilty of misconduct can be shown a YC/RC; if an offender cannot be
identified, the senior coach in the technical area receives the YC/RC
• If a penalty kick is awarded, the team’s penalty taker can receive assessment or
treatment and then stay on the field and take the kick

Law 7
• Clarification of the difference between ‘cooling’ and ‘drinks’ breaks

Law 8
• The team that wins the toss may choose to take the kick-off
• Dropped ball – ball dropped for goalkeeper (if play stopped in penalty area) or for one
player of team that last touched the ball at the location of the last touch; all other
players (of both teams) must be at least 4m (4.5 yds) away

5 Outline summary of Law changes

Law 9
• Dropped ball if the ball touches the referee (or other match official) and goes into the
goal, possession changes or an attacking move starts

Law 10
• Goalkeeper cannot score by throwing the ball into the opponents’ goal

Law 12
• Handball text re-written for greater clarity/consistency with clear guidelines for when
‘non-deliberate’ handball should (and should not) be penalised
• Confirmation that an ‘illegal’ handball offence by a goalkeeper in their own penalty area
is not sanctioned with a YC/RC
• If, after a throw-in or deliberate pass from a team-mate, the goalkeeper unsuccessfully
kicks or tries to kick the ball to release it into play, the goalkeeper can then handle the
ball
• Referee can delay issuing a YC/RC until the next stoppage if the non-offending team
takes a quick free kick and creates a goal-scoring opportunity
• The YC for an ‘illegal’ goal celebration remains even if the goal is disallowed
• List of the warning/YC/RC offences for team officials
• All verbal offences are punished with an IDFK
• Kicking an object is punished in the same way as throwing an object

Law 13
• Once an IDFK has been taken, the referee can stop showing the IDFK signal if it is clear
that goal cannot be scored directly (e.g. from most offside IDFKs)
• 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
• When there is a defensive ‘wall’ of at least 3 players, all attacking team players must be
at least 1m from the ‘wall’; IDFK if they encroach

Law 14
• Goalposts, crossbar and nets must not be moving when a penalty is taken and the
goalkeeper must not be touching them
• Goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot on, or in line with, the goal line when a
penalty kick is taken; cannot stand behind the line
• If an offence occurs after the referee signals for a penalty kick to be taken but the kick is
not taken, it must then be taken after any YC/RC is issued

6 Outline summary of Law changes

Law 15
• Opponents must be at least 2m from the point on the touchline where a throw-in is to
be taken, even if the thrower is back from the line

Law 16
• At goal kicks, the ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves; it does not have to
leave the penalty area

7 Outline summary of Law changes

Law changes 2019/20 –
text and explanations
Law 3 – The Players
3. Substitution procedure
Amended text
To replace a player with a substitute, the following must be observed:

• (…)

• the player being substituted:

|
• receives the referee’s permission to leave the field of play, unless already off the
field, and must leave by the nearest point on the boundary line unless the referee
| indicates that the player may leave directly and immediately at the halfway line
| or another point (e.g. for safety/security or injury)
||
|
• the player being replaced is not obliged to leave at the halfway line and must go
immediately to the technical area or dressing room and takes no further part in
the match, except where return substitutions are permitted
||
• if a player who is to be replaced substituted refuses to leave, play continues

Explanation
To stop a player who is being substituted ‘wasting’ time by leaving slowly at the
halfway line (which is not a Law requirement) the player must leave at the nearest
point (as with an injury) unless the referee indicates otherwise, e.g. if the player can
leave quickly at the halfway line, there is a safety/security issue or the player leaves
on a stretcher. The player must go immediately to the technical area or dressing room
to avoid problems with substitutes, spectators, or the match officials. A player who
infringes the spirit of this Law should be sanctioned for unsporting behaviour i.e.
delaying the restart of play.

8 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment
3. Colours
Additional text
Undershirts must be:
| • a single colour which is the same as the main colour of the shirt sleeve or
|
• a pattern/colours which exactly replicate(s) the shirt sleeve

Explanation
Manufacturers now make patterned undershirts whose sleeves are the same as the
main shirt sleeve; these should be allowed as they help match officials’ decision-making.

4. Other equipment
Electronic performance and tracking systems (EPTS)
Deleted text
| The professional standard will be implemented in the transition period until 1 June
| 2019. The following mark indicates that (…)

Explanation
The transition period ends on 1 June 2019.

9 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Law 5 – The Referee
2. Decisions of the referee
Amended text
| The referee may not change a restart decision on realising it is incorrect or on the
advice of another match official if play has restarted or the referee has signalled the
end of the first or second half (including extra time) and left the field of play or
|| terminated abandoned the match. However, if at the end of the half, the referee leaves
| the field of play to go to the referee review area (RRA) or to instruct the players to
| return to the field of play, this does not prevent a decision being changed for an
| incident which occurred before the end of the half.

| Except as outlined in Law 12.3 and the VAR protocol, a disciplinary sanction may only
| be issued after play has restarted if another match official had identified and
| attempted to communicate the offence to the referee before play restarted; the
| restart associated with the sanction does not apply.

Explanation

• The word ‘terminated’ is not easily translated – ‘abandoned’ is better

• If, at the end of a half, the referee goes to the RRA or to tell the players to return to
the field a ‘review’ and a decision can be changed, if the offence occurred before the
half ended

• Sometimes a match official indicates/communicates a YC/RC offence (e.g. AR flagging

for violent conduct off the ball) but the referee does not see the indication/hear the
communication until after play has restarted. The referee can still take the appropriate
disciplinary action, but the restart associated with the offence does not apply

10 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 3. Powers and duties
Disciplinary action
Additional text
The referee:
|
||
• takes action against team officials who fail to act in a responsible manner and may
expel them warns, or shows a yellow card for a caution or a red card for a sending-
| off from the field of play and its immediate surrounds, including the technical area;
| if the offender cannot be identified, the senior coach present in the technical area
|| will receive the sanction. A medical team official who commits a dismissible
sending-off offence may remain if (…)

Explanation
The experiment with YC/RC for misconduct by team officials has been successful and
has revealed many benefits at all levels, including for young referees dealing with
‘difficult’ adult coaches. If the offender cannot be identified, the senior team official
(usually the main coach) in the technical area will receive the YC/RC (as the person
responsible for the other team officials).

3. Powers and duties

Injuries
Additional text

• An injured player may not be treated on the field of play (…). Exceptions to the
requirement to leave the field of play are only when:

• (…)
|
• a penalty kick has been awarded and the injured player will be the kicker

Explanation
It is unfair if the kicker needs assessment/treatment and then has to leave the field
and cannot take the penalty kick.

11 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Law 7 – The Duration of the Match
3. Allowance for lost time
Amended text
Allowance is made by the referee in each half for all time lost in that half through:
|
|
• stoppages for drinks (which should not exceed one minute) or other medical reasons
permitted by competition rules
|
| • medical stoppages permitted by competition rules e.g. ’drinks’ breaks (which should
not exceed one minute) and ‘cooling’ breaks (ninety seconds to three minutes)

Explanation
In the interests of player safety, competition rules may allow, in certain weather
conditions (e.g. high humidity and temperatures), ‘cooling’ breaks (from ninety seconds
to three minutes) to allow the body’s temperature to fall; they are different from
‘drinks’ breaks (maximum one minute) which are for rehydration.

Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play

1. Kick-off
Procedure
Amended text
||
|
• the team that wins the toss of a coin decides which goal it will to attack in the first
half or to take the kick-off
|
|
• depending on the above, their opponents take the kick-off or decide which goal to
attack in the first half
||
• the team that wins the toss decided which goal to attack in the first half takes the
kick-off to start the second half

Explanation
Recent Law changes have made the kick-off more dynamic (e.g. a goal can be scored
directly from the kick-off) so captains winning the toss often ask to take the kick-off.

12 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 1. Kick-off
Offences and sanctions
Amended text
If the player taking the kick-off touches the ball again before it has touched another
|| player, an indirect free kick, or for deliberate a handball offence a direct free kick, is
awarded.

Explanation
Change to be consistent with re-wording of handball in Law 12.

2. Dropped ball
Procedure
New text
|
|
• The ball is dropped for the defending team goalkeeper in their penalty area if, when
play was stopped:
|
• the ball was in the penalty area or
|
• the last touch of the ball was in the penalty area
|
|
• In all other cases, the referee drops the ball for one player of the team that last
touched the ball at the position where it last touched a player, an outside agent or,
| as outlined in Law 9.1, a match official.
|
|
• All other players (of both teams) must remain at least 4m (4.5 yds) from the ball
until it is in play.
The ball is in play when it touches the ground.
| Any number of players may contest a dropped ball (including the goalkeepers); the
| referee cannot decide who may contest a dropped ball or its outcome.

Explanation
The current dropped ball procedure often leads to a ‘manufactured’ restart which is
‘exploited’ unfairly (e.g. kicking the ball out for a throw-in deep in the opponents’ half)

13 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 or an aggressive confrontation. Returning the ball to the team that last played
it restores what was ‘lost’ when play was stopped, except in the penalty area where it
is simpler to return the ball to the goalkeeper. To prevent that team gaining an unfair
advantage, all players of both teams, except the player receiving the ball, must be
at least 4m (4.5 yds) away.

Law 9 – The Ball in and out of Play

1. Ball out of play
Amended text
The ball is out of play when:

• (…)
| • it touches a match official, remains on the field of play and:
|
• a team starts a promising attack or
|
• the ball goes directly into the goal or
|
|
• the team in possession of the ball changes
In all these cases, play is restarted with a dropped ball.

Explanation
It can be very unfair if a team gains an advantage or scores a goal because the ball has
hit a match official, especially the referee.

2. Ball in play
Amended text
|| The ball is in play at all other times including when it touches a match official and
| when it rebounds off a match official, goalpost, crossbar or corner flagpost and
| remains on the field of play.

Explanation
Except as outlined in Law 9.1, the ball is in play when it touches a match official.

14 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match
1. Goal scored
Amended text
A goal is scored (…), provided that no offence has been committed by the team scoring
the goal.
| If the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal kick is awarded.

Explanation
Change to be consistent with re-wording of handball in Law 12.

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct

1. Direct free kick
Amended text
||
• handles the ball deliberately a handball offence (except for the goalkeeper within
their penalty area)

Explanation
Change to be consistent with re-wording of handball in Law 12.

1. Direct free kick

Handling the ball
Amended text
| Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball
| with the hand arm.
| The following must be considered:
|
•
the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)

15 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

| • the distance between the opponent/team-mate and the ball (unexpected ball)
| • the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an offence
| It is an offence if a player:
|
|
• deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, including moving the hand/arm
towards the ball
|
• gains possession/control of the ball after it has touched their hand/arm and then:
|
• scores in the opponents’ goal
|
• creates a goal-scoring opportunity
|
|
• scores in the opponents’ goal directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental,
including by the goalkeeper

| It is usually an offence if a player:

|
• touches the ball with their hand/arm when:
|
•the hand/arm has made their body unnaturally bigger
|
|
•the hand/arm is above/beyond their shoulder level (unless the player deliberately
plays the ball which then touches their hand/arm)

| The above offences apply even if the ball touches a player’s hand/arm directly from
| the head or body (including the foot) of another player who is close.

| Except for the above offences, it is not usually an offence if the ball touches a player’s
| hand/arm:
|
•
directly from the player’s own head or body (including the foot)
|
•
directly from the head or body (including the foot) of another player who is close
|
|
•
if the hand/arm is close to the body and does not make the body unnaturally
bigger
|
|
•
when a player falls and the hand/arm is between the body and the ground to
support the body, but not extended laterally or vertically away from the body

16 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Explanation
Greater clarity is needed for handball, especially on those occasions when ‘non-
deliberate’ handball is an offence. The re-wording follows a number of principles:

• football does not accept a goal being scored by a hand/arm (even if accidental)

• football expects a player to be penalised for handball if they gain possession/control

of the ball from their hand/arm and gain a major advantage e.g. score or create
a goal-scoring opportunity

• it is natural for a player to put their arm between their body and the ground for
support when falling.

• having the hand/arm above shoulder height is rarely a ‘natural’ position and a
player is ‘taking a risk’ by having the hand/arm in that position, including when
sliding

• if the ball comes off the player’s body, or off another player (of either team) who is
close by, onto the hand/arm it is often impossible to avoid contact with the ball.

1. Direct free kick

Handling the ball
Amended text
The goalkeeper has the same restrictions on handling the ball as any other player
| outside the penalty area. Inside their penalty area, the goalkeeper cannot be guilty of
| a handling offence incurring a direct free kick; or any related sanction but can be guilty
|| of handling offences that incur an indirect free kick If the goalkeeper handles the ball
| inside their penalty area when not permitted to do so, an indirect free kick is awarded
| but there is no disciplinary sanction.

Explanation
Goalkeepers cannot handle the ball in their penalty area from a deliberate pass or
throw-in from a team-mate, or having released the ball from their hands. If they do, it
is an IDFK but this and any other ‘illegal’ handling does not incur any disciplinary
sanction even if it stops a promising attack or denies a goal or an obvious goal-scoring
opportunity.

17 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 2. Indirect free kick
Amended text
An indirect free kick is awarded if a goalkeeper, inside their penalty area, commits any
of the following offences:
|| • controls the ball with the hands/arm for more than six seconds before releasing it
||
• touches the ball with the hands/arm after releasing it and before it has touched
another player
|
|
• touches the ball with the hand/arm, unless the goalkeeper has clearly kicked or
attempted to kick the ball to release it into play, after:

• it has been deliberately kicked to the goalkeeper by a team-mate

• receiving it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate

Explanation

• Inclusion of ‘arm’ is consistent with other parts of the Law relating to handling the
ball.

• When the GK clearly kicks or tries to kick the ball into play, this shows no intention
to handle the ball so, if the ‘clearance’ attempt is unsuccessful, the goalkeeper can
then handle the ball without committing an offence

3. Disciplinary action
Amended text
| If, before entering the field of play at the start of the match, a player or team official
| commits a sending-off offence, the referee has the authority to prevent the player or
| team official taking part in the match (see Law 3.6); the referee will report any other
misconduct.
| A player or team official who commits a cautionable or sending-off offence, either on
| or off the field of play, against an opponent, a team-mate, a match official or any other
| person or the Laws of the Game, is disciplined according to the offence.
| Only a player, substitute, or substituted player or team official may be shown the red
or yellow card.

18 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Explanation
Red and yellow cards may now be shown to team officials (see Law 5).

3. Disciplinary action
Delaying the restart of play to show a card
Additional text
Once the referee has decided to caution or send off a player, play must not be
| restarted until the sanction is administered, unless the non-offending team takes a
| quick free kick, has a clear goal-scoring opportunity and the referee has not started
| the disciplinary sanction procedure. The sanction is administered at the next stoppage;
| if the offence was denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the
| player is cautioned.

Explanation
Occasionally, an attack is stopped by a cautionable or sending-off offence and the
attacking team takes a quick free kick which restores the ‘lost’ attack; it is clearly
‘unfair’ if this ‘new’ attack is stopped to issue the YC/RC. However, if the referee has
distracted the offending team by starting the YC/RC procedure, the quick free kick is
not allowed. For a DOGSO offence, the player will be cautioned and not sent-off
because the attack was re-started (as when advantage is applied for a DOGSO
offence).

3. Disciplinary action
Cautionable offences
Celebration of a goal
Additional text
| A player must be cautioned, even if the goal is disallowed, for:
(…)

19 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Explanation
Cautions for inappropriate goal celebrations apply even if the goal is disallowed as the
impact (safety, image of the game etc.) is the same as if the goal was awarded.

3. Disciplinary action
Sending-off offences
Amended text
A player, substitute or substituted player who commits any of the following offences is
sent off:
|
||
• denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by
deliberately handling the ball a handball offence (…)

Explanation
Change to be consistent with re-wording of handball in Law 12.

3. Disciplinary action
Denying a goal or obvious goal-scoring opportunity
Amended text
Where a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring
| opportunity by a deliberate handball offence, the player is sent off wherever the
offence occurs.

Explanation
Change to be consistent with re-wording of handball in Law 12.

20 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 3. Disciplinary action
Team officials
Amended text
| Where an offence is committed and the offender cannot be identified, the senior team
| coach present in the technical area will receive the sanction.
| Warning
| The following offences should usually result in a warning; repeated or blatant offences
| should result
|
•
in a caution or sending-off:
|
•
entering the field of play in a respectful/non-confrontational manner
|
|
•
failing to cooperate with a match official e.g. ignoring an instruction/request from
assistant referee or the fourth official
|
•
minor/low-level disagreement (by word or action) with a decision
|
|
•
occasionally leaving the confines of the technical area without committing another
offence
| Caution
| Caution offences include (but are not limited to):
|
• clearly/persistently not respecting the confines of their team’s technical area
|
• delaying the restart of play by their team
|
• deliberately entering the technical area of the opposing team (non-confrontational)
|
• dissent by word or action including:
|
• throwing/kicking drinks bottles or other objects
|
|
• gestures which show a clear lack of respect for the match official(s) e.g. sarcastic
clapping
|
• entering the referee review area (RRA)
|
• excessively/persistently gesturing for a red or yellow card
|
• excessively showing the TV signal for a VAR ‘review’
|
• gesturing or acting in a provocative or inflammatory manner

21 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

| •
persistent unacceptable behaviour (including repeated warning offences)
| •
showing a lack of respect for the game
| Sending-off
| Sending-off offences include (but are not limited to):
|
|
• delaying the restart of play by the opposing team e.g. holding onto the ball, kicking
the ball away, obstructing the movement of a player
| • deliberately leaving the technical area to:
|
• show dissent towards, or remonstrate with, a match official
|
• act in a provocative or inflammatory manner
|
• enter the opposing technical area in an aggressive or confrontational manner
|
• deliberately throwing/kicking an object onto the field of play
|
• entering the field of play to:
|
• confront a match official (including at half-time and full-time)
|
• interfere with play, an opposing player or match official
|
• entering the video operation room (VOR)
|
|
• physical or aggressive behaviour (including spitting or biting) towards an opposing
player, substitute, team official, match official, spectator or any other person (e.g.
| ball boy/girl, security or competition official etc.)
|
• receiving a second caution in the same match
|
• using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
|
|
• using unauthorised electronic or communication equipment and/or behaving in an
inappropriate manner as the result of using electronic or communication equipment
|
• violent conduct

Explanation
The correct use of the YC/RC for misconduct by team officials will be assisted by
including the main warning /YC/RC offences in the Laws.

22 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 4. Restart of play after fouls and misconduct
Amended text
(…)
|| If the ball is in play and a player commits an a physical offence inside the field of play against:

• an opponent – indirect or direct free kick or penalty kick

|
• a team-mate, substitute, substituted or sent off player, team official, match official
– a direct free kick or penalty kick
|
•any other person – a dropped ball
| All verbal offences are penalised with an indirect free kick.

Explanation
Confirmation of the different restarts for physical offences and that all verbal offences,
even if directed at a match official, are penalised with an indirect free kick.

4. Restart of play after fouls and misconduct

Additional text
| If an offence is committed outside the field of play by a player against a player,
substitute, substituted player or team official of the player’s team, play is restarted
with an indirect free kick on the boundary line closest to where the offence occurred.

Explanation
Clarification that the offence must be committed by a player against a team-mate or
one of his/her team officials, substitutes etc. for an IDFK to be awarded.

4. Restart of play after fouls and misconduct

Amended text
If a player standing who is on or off the field of play throws or kicks an object (other
than the match ball) at an opposing player, or throws or kicks an object (including a
ball) at an opposing player, substitute, substituted or sent off player, or team official,
or a match official or the match ball, play is restarted with a direct free kick (…)

23 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Explanation
Kicking an object at someone or the ball is punished the same as throwing an object.

Law 13 – Free Kicks

1. Types of free kicks
Indirect free kick signal
Additional text
The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising the arm above the head; this
signal is maintained until the kick has been taken and the ball touches another player,
|| or goes out of play or it is clear that a goal cannot be scored directly.

Explanation
Many indirect free kicks are too far from the opponents’ goal for a goal to be scored
directly (e.g. IDFKs for offside); in these cases, the referee only needs to maintain the
signal until the kick is taken because running whilst showing the signal is not easy.

2. Procedure
Amended text

• free kicks for offences involving a player entering, re-entering or leaving the field
of play without permission are taken from the position of the ball when play was
| stopped. However, if a player leaves the field of play as part of play and commits an
|| offence off the field of play against another player, play is restarted with a free kick
taken on the boundary line nearest to where the offence occurred; for direct free
kick offences, a penalty kick is awarded if this is within the offender’s penalty area

Explanation
Text amended to be consistent with other parts of the Laws.

24 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 2. Procedure
Amended text
The ball:
|
|
• is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves except for a free kick to the defending
team in their penalty area where the ball is in play when it is kicked directly out of
| the penalty area

Explanation
The experiment where, at a defending team free kick in the penalty area, the ball is in
play once it is kicked and does not have to leave the penalty area, has produced a
faster and more constructive restart. Opponents must remain outside the penalty area
and at least 9.15m away until the ball is in play. The same change has been made to
the goal kick (see Law 16).

2. Procedure
Additional text
Until the ball is in play, all opponents must remain:

• at least 9.15m (10 yds) from the ball, unless (…)

• outside the penalty area for free kicks inside the opponents’ penalty area
| Where three or more defending team players form a ‘wall’, all attacking team players
| must remain at least 1m (1 yd) from the ‘wall’ until the ball is in play.

Explanation
Attackers standing very close to, or in, the defensive ‘wall’ at a free kick often cause
management problems and waste time. There is no legitimate tactical justification for
attackers to be in the ‘wall’ and their presence is against the ‘spirit of the game’ and
often damages the image of the game.

25 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 3. Offences and sanctions
2. Offences and sanctions
Additional text (after 1st paragraph)
(…) for delaying the restart of play.
| If, when a free kick is taken, an attacking team player is less than 1m (1 yd) from a ‘wall’
| formed by three or more defending team players, an indirect free kick is awarded.

Explanation
Confirmation of the restart if an attacking player encroaches within 1m of the ‘wall’.

3. Offences and sanctions

Amended text
| If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team from inside its penalty area, any
opponents are inside the penalty area (…), touches or challenges for the ball before it
|| has touched another player is in play, the free kick is retaken.
| If, when a free kick is taken by the defending team inside its penalty area, the ball is
| not kicked directly out of the penalty area the kick is retaken.

Explanation
Confirmation of the restart for the above situation.

3. Offences and sanctions

Amended text
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched
| another player, an indirect free kick is awarded; if the kicker deliberately handles the
|| ball commits a handball offence:
(…)
Explanation
Confirmation of the restart for the above situation.

26 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Law 14 – The Penalty Kick
1. Procedure
Additional text
| The ball must be stationary on the penalty mark and the goalposts, crossbar and goal
| net must not be moving.
(…)
The defending goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the
| goalposts, without touching the goalposts, crossbar or goal net, until the ball has been
kicked.
(…)
The player taking the penalty kick must kick the ball forward; backheeling is permitted
provided the ball moves forward.
| When the ball is kicked, the defending goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot
| touching, or in line with, the goal line.

Explanation

• The referee must not signal for the penalty kick to be taken if the goalkeeper is
touching the goalposts, crossbar or net, or if they are moving e.g. the goalkeeper
has kicked/shaken them

• Goalkeepers are not permitted to stand in front of or behind the line. Allowing the
goalkeeper to have only one foot touching the goal line (or, if jumping, in line with
the goal line) when the penalty kick is taken is a more practical approach as it is
easier to identify if both feet are not on the line. As the kicker can ‘stutter’ in the
run, it is reasonable that the goalkeeper can take one step in anticipation of the kick.

2. Offences and sanctions

Additional text
Once the referee has signalled for a penalty kick to be taken, the kick must be taken;
| if it is not taken the referee may take disciplinary action before signalling again for the
| kick to be taken.

27 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Explanation
If an offence occurs after the referee has signalled for a penalty kick to be taken but
the kick is not taken, a free kick cannot be awarded as the ball has not been put into
play; the necessary disciplinary action can still be taken.

2. Offences and sanctions

Amended text

• the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player:

• an indirect free kick (or direct free kick for deliberate a handball offence)
is awarded

Explanation
Change to be consistent with re-wording of handball in Law 12.

Law 15 – The Throw-in

1. Procedure
Amended text
|| All opponents must stand at least 2m (2 yds) from the point at which on the touchline
| where the throw-in is to be taken.

Explanation
This covers situations where a player takes a throw-in some distance from the
touchline.

2. Offences and sanctions

Amended text
If, after the ball is in play, the thrower touches the ball again before it has touched
| another player, an indirect free kick is awarded; if the thrower deliberately handles the
|| ball commits a handball offence:(…)

28 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Explanation
Change to be consistent with re-wording of handball in Law 12.

Law 16 – The Goal Kick

1. Procedure
Amended text
||
• The ball is in play when it leaves the penalty area is kicked and clearly moves

Explanation
The experiment that at a goal kick the ball is in play once it is kicked, and does not
have to leave the penalty area, has created a faster and more dynamic/constructive
restart to the game. It has reduced the time ‘lost/wasted’ including stopping the tactic
of ‘wasting’ time when a defender deliberately plays the ball before it leaves the
penalty area knowing that all that will happen is the goal kick will be retaken.
Opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play.

2. Offences and sanctions

Amended text
| If the ball does not leave the penalty area or is touched by a player before it leaves the
| penalty area the kick is retaken.

Explanation
See above (Law 16.1)

2. Offences and sanctions

Amended text
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched
| another player, an indirect free kick is awarded; if the kicker deliberately handles the
|| ball commits a handball offence:(…)

29 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Explanation
Change to be consistent with re-wording of handball in Law 12.

2. Offences and sanctions

Amended text
| If, when a goal kick is taken, any opponents are inside the penalty area because they
| did not have time to leave, the referee allows play to continue. If an opponent who is
| in the penalty area (…), touches or challenges for the ball before it has touched another
|| player is in play, the goal kick is retaken.

Explanation
Confirmation of the action the referee should take when an opponent is inside the
penalty area when a goal kick is taken.

Law 17 – The Corner Kick

2. Offences and sanctions
Amended text
If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched
| another player, an indirect free kick is awarded; if the kicker deliberately handles the
|| ball commits a handball offence:(…)

Explanation
Change to be consistent with re-wording of handball in Law 12.

30 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 VAR Protocol
Reviewable match-changing decisions/incidents
The categories of decision/incident which may be reviewed in the event of a potential
‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ are:
a. Goal/no goal
| An offence by the team that scored the goal in the attacking phase that ended with
| the scoring of a goal, including:
|
||
• attacking team offence in the build-up to or scoring of the goal (handball, foul,
offside etc.)
|
• offside: position and offence

• ball out of play prior to the goal

• goal/no goal decisions

|
|
• offence by goalkeeper and/or kicker at the taking of a penalty kick or encroachment
by an attacker or defender who becomes directly involved in play if the penalty kick
| rebounds from the goalpost, crossbar or goalkeeper
b. Penalty kick/no penalty kick
|
|
• attacking team offence in the build-up to the penalty incident (handball, foul, offside
etc.)

• ball out of play prior to the incident

• location of offence (inside or outside the penalty area)

• penalty kick incorrectly awarded

• penalty kick offence not penalised

| • offence by goalkeeper and/or kicker at the taking of a penalty kick
|
|
• encroachment by an attacker or defender who becomes directly involved in play if
the penalty kick rebounds from the goalpost, crossbar or goalkeeper

Explanation
Text simplified and bullet points moved as offences at the taking of a penalty kick are
‘goal/no goal’ incidents.

31 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

 Procedures
Original decision
Amended text

|
• If an assistant referee delays a flag for an offence, the assistant referee must raise
the flag if the attacking team scores a goal, is awarded a penalty kick, free kick,
| corner kick or throw-in, or retains possession of the ball after the initial attack has
| ended; in all other situations, the assistant referee should decide whether or not to
| raise the flag, depending on the requirements of the game

Explanation
Clarification of when the assistant referee must raise a ‘delayed’ flag for a very close
decision.

Procedures
Check
Amended text
|
||
• The VAR can ‘check’ the footage in normal speed (…) or to decide if it was a handball
was ‘deliberate’ offence
Review
Amended text

|
• For subjective decisions e.g. intensity of a foul challenge, interference at offside,
handball considerations (position, intent etc.) an ‘on-field review’ (OFR) is often
appropriate.
(…)
||
|
• The referee can request different (…) or to decide if it was a handball was ‘deliberate’
offence
Explanation
Change to be consistent with re-wording of handball in Law 12.

32 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations

| Players, substitutes and team officials

Amended text
(…)
|
• A player/substitute/substituted player/team official who excessively shows the TV
signal or enters the RRA will be cautioned
|
| • A team official who excessively shows the TV signal or enters the RRA will be
publically officially warned (or cautioned where yellow and red cards for team
| officials are in use)
|
|

• A player/substitute/substituted player/team official who enters the VOR will be
sent off; a team official who enters the VOR will be dismissed from the technical
| area

Explanation
Reference to RC/YC for team officials, following change to Law 5 and 12.

33 Law changes 2019/20 – text and explanations