Outline summary
of Law changes
Herewith an outline of the main changes/clarifications.
Changes affecting more than one Law
Notes on the Laws of the Game (all Laws) – metric units
• Clarification that, if there is any divergence between metric and imperial
units, the metric units are authoritative
Laws 4, 5, 12 and VAR protocol – non-violent inappropriate behaviour
• To allow some non-violent inappropriate behaviour to be considered
‘offensive, insulting or abusive’ and result in a sending-off, ‘action(s)/acting’
replace ‘gesture(s)/gesturing’ in the relevant descriptions
Laws 1, 2 and 4 – FIFA Quality Programme
• Information about the FIFA Quality Programme is now included after the
VAR protocol – details have been removed from the Law text
Law
Individual Law changes (in Law order)
Law 1 – The Field of Play
• The goalposts and crossbar (and goals) must be the same shape
changes
• The GLT signal can be sent to the video operation room (VOR)
Law 6 – The Other Match Officials
2021/22
• There is now a FIFA list of international video match officials (VMOs)
Law 7 – The Duration of the Match
• Stoppage time relates to ‘lost’ playing time
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Law 11 – Offside
• Inclusion of the Law 12 definition of where the arm ends (bottom of the
armpit) for the purposes of determining an offside/onside position
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
• Handball:
• Not every contact of the ball with the hand/arm is an offence
• A player’s hand/arm position should be judged in relation to their body
movement in that particular situation
• Removal from the accidental attacking handball offence of the references to
a ‘team-mate’ and ‘creating a goal-scoring opportunity’
• The offence of using a ‘trick’ to circumvent the Law against the goalkeeper
handling the ball from a deliberate kick from a team-mate applies at goal
kicks; the instigator is to be cautioned (YC)
• A free kick/penalty kick can only be awarded for an offence against someone
on the team lists or a match official
VAR protocol
• Written permission to use VARs is only required from FIFA
• Principles have been established covering scenarios when a video match
official or replay operator is unable to start or continue a match
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Details of • 3. Disciplinary action – Celebration of a goal
all Law changes • 3. Disciplinary action – Sending-off offences
• 3. Disciplinary action – Team officials
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol
• 1. Principles
he following are the changes to the Laws of the Game for the 2021/22 edition.
T • 2. Reviewable match-changing decisions/incidents
For each change, the new/amended/additional wording is given, together with • 4. Procedures
the old wording, where appropriate – followed by an explanation of the change.
Changes affecting more than one Law Laws 1, 2 and 4 – FIFA Quality Programme
There is a new section outlining the FIFA Quality Programme (FQP). Certain
Notes on the Laws of the Game (all Laws) – metric units
details regarding the FQP and the related standards have been removed from the
Other languages Laws so that future FQP changes will not require Law changes. The resulting
(…) text changes are as follows:
Measurements
If there is any divergence between metric and imperial units, the metric units Law 1 – The Field of Play
are authoritative. 1. Field surface
Amended text
Laws 4, 5, 12 and VAR protocol – non-violent inappropriate behaviour Where artificial surfaces are used in competition matches between
To allow some forms of non-violent inappropriate behaviour (e.g. offensively representative teams of national football associations affiliated to FIFA or
touching another person) to be considered ‘offensive, insulting or abusive’ international club competition matches, the surface must meet the requirements
and thus a sending-off offence, ‘action(s)/acting’ replace ‘gesture(s)/ of the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf or the International Match
gesturing’ in the following Laws: Standard, unless special dispensation is given by The IFAB.
Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment
• 5. Slogans, statements, images and advertising – Interpreting the Law
Law 5 – The Referee
• 4. Video assistant referee (VAR) – Reviews after play has restarted
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
• 2. Indirect free kick
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Law 1 – The Field of Play Law 2 – The Ball
11. Goal line technology (GLT) 1. Qualities and measurements
Amended text Amended text
GLT systems may be used to verify whether a goal has been scored to support All balls used in matches played in an official competition organised under the
the referee’s decision. auspices of FIFA or confederations must bear one of the following meet the
Where GLT is used, modifications to the goal frame may be permitted in requirements and bear one of the marks of the FIFA Quality Programme for
accordance with the specifications stipulated in the FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs.
GLT and with the Laws of the Game. The use of GLT must be stipulated in the
competition rules. Each mark indicates (…) and must be approved by The IFAB. The institutes
(…) conducting the tests are subject to the approval of FIFA.
Requirements and specifications of GLT Where goal line technology (GLT) is used, balls with integrated technology must
If GLT is used in competition matches, the competition organisers must ensure carry one of the above-listed marks.
that the system (including any potentially permitted modifications to the goal
frame or technology in the ball) is certified according to one of the following Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment
standards: meets the requirements of the FIFA Quality Programme for GLT.
4. Other equipment
Electronic performance and tracking systems (EPTS)
• FIFA Quality PRO
Amended text
• FIFA Quality
Where wearable technology (…) the competition organiser must ensure that the
• IMS – INTERNATIONAL MATCH STANDARD
technology attached to the players’ equipment is not dangerous and meets one
of the following standards: IMS (International Match Standard) or FIFA Quality
An independent testing institute must verify the accuracy and functionality of
the requirements for wearable EPTS under the FIFA Quality Programme for
the different technology providers’ systems in accordance with the FIFA Quality
EPTS.
Programme for GLT Testing Manual. Where GLT is used, the referee must test the
technology’s functionality before the match as set out in the Testing Manual. If
The institutes conducting these tests are subject to the approval of FIFA.
the technology does not function in accordance with the Testing Manual, the
(…)
referee must not use the GLT system and must report this to the appropriate
A professional standard was developed by FIFA and approved by The IFAB in
authorities.
order to The FIFA Quality Programme for EPTS supports the competition
organisers (…)
Where GLT is used, the referee must test the technology’s functionality before
the match as set out in the Testing Manual.
The following mark indicates that an EPTS (wearable or optical) has been
officially tested to the requirements in terms of reliability and accuracy of
positional data in football.
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Individual Law changes (in Law order)
Law 1 – The Field of Play Law 6 – The Other Match Officials
10. Goals Amended text
Amended text The VAR and AVAR are the ‘video’ match officials (VMOs) and assist the referee
A goal consists of (…) The goalposts and crossbar must be made of approved in accordance with the Laws of the Game and the VAR protocol as determined by
material They must be square, rectangular, round, elliptical or a combination of The IFAB.
these shapes and must not be dangerous. The goalposts and crossbar of both
goals must be the same shape, which must be square, rectangular, round, Explanation
elliptical or a hybrid of these options. There is now a FIFA list of international video match officials (VMOs).
It is recommended that all goals used in an official competition organised under
Law 7 – The Duration of the Match
the auspices of FIFA or confederations meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality
Programme for Football Goals. 3. Allowance for time lost
Amended text
Explanation Allowance is made by the referee in each half for all playing time lost in that half
• The goalposts and crossbar must be the same shape; both goals must be the through (...)
same.
• A reference to the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Goals has been added. Explanation
Clarification that if, for example, there is a stoppage towards the end of the game
Law 1 – The Field of Play that is longer than the remaining playing time, the ‘additional time’ played (and
11. Goal line technology (GLT) shown by the fourth official) is the remaining playing time, not the length of the
stoppage.
Amended text
Principles of GLT
The indication of whether a goal has been scored must be immediate and
automatically confirmed within one second by the GLT system only to the match
officials (via the referee’s watch, by vibration and visual signal); it may also be
sent to the video operation room (VOR).
Explanation
Where VARs are in use, the GLT signal may be sent to the video operation room
(VOR).
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Law 11 – Offside Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
1. Offside position 1. Direct free kick – Handling the ball
Additional text Old text (showing deletions)
The hands and arms of all players, including the goalkeepers, are not considered. (…)
For the purposes of determining offside, the upper boundary of the arm is in line It is an offence if a player:
with the bottom of the armpit. • deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, including moving the hand/
arm towards the ball
Explanation • scores in the opponents’ goal directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental,
including by the goalkeeper
The shoulder is not part of the arm for handball. It is therefore a part of the body
• after the ball has touched their or a team-mate’s hand/arm, even if accidental,
with which a goal can be legitimately scored and so must be considered when
immediately:
judging offside.
· scores in the opponents’ goal
· creates a goal-scoring opportunity
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
• touches the ball with their hand/arm when:
1. Direct free kick · the hand/arm has made their body unnaturally bigger
Additional text · the hand/arm is above/beyond their shoulder level (unless the player
A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences: deliberately plays the ball which then touches their hand/arm)
• (…)
• bites or spits at someone on the team lists or a match official 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.
Explanation
Except for the above offences, it is not an offence if the ball touches a player’s
A free kick/penalty kick can only be awarded for an offence committed against
hand/arm:
someone on the team lists (players, substitutes, substituted players, sent-off
• directly from the player’s own head or body (including the foot)
players and team officials) or a match official.
• 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
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New text Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
(…) 2. Indirect free kick
Not every touch of a player’s hand/arm with the ball is an offence.
Additional text
An indirect free kick is awarded if a player:
It is an offence if a player:
• (…)
• deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, for example moving the
• initiates a deliberate trick for the ball to be passed (including from a free kick
hand/arm towards the ball
or goal kick) to the goalkeeper with the head, chest, knee etc. to circumvent
• touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally
the Law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with the hands; the
bigger. A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger
goalkeeper is penalised if responsible for initiating the deliberate trick
when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by,
• commits any other offence (…)
the player’s body movement for that specific situation. By having their hand/
(…)
arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by
the ball and being penalised
• scores in the opponents’ goal: 3. Disciplinary action – Cautions for unsporting behaviour
· directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper Amended text
· immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for
unsporting behaviour, including if a player:
Explanation • (…)
• Not every contact between the hand/arm and the ball is a handball offence. • uses initiates a deliberate trick for the ball to be passed to pass the ball
• Referees must judge the ‘validity’ of the hand/arm’s position in relation to (including from a free kick or goal kick) to the goalkeeper with the head, chest,
what the player is doing in that particular situation. knee etc. to circumvent the Law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches the
• Accidental handball by a team-mate before a goal is scored and accidental ball with the hands; the goalkeeper is cautioned if responsible for initiating
handball creating a goal-scoring opportunity have been removed as offences. the deliberate trick
Explanation
The offence of using a ‘trick’ to circumvent the Law that prevents the goalkeeper
from handling a deliberate kick from a team-mate will now apply at goal kicks.
The goalkeeper is cautioned if responsible for initiating the ‘trick’.
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Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct Explanation
4. Restart of play after fouls and misconduct Written permission to use VARs is only required from FIFA.
Amended text
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol
If the ball is in play and a player commits a physical offence inside the field of
play against: 4. Procedures
• an opponent – an indirect or direct free kick or penalty kick Additional text
• a team-mate, substitute, substituted or sent-off player, team official or a match
official – a direct free kick or penalty kick Incapacitated VAR, AVAR or replay operator
• any other person – a dropped ball
Law 6 – The Other Match Officials stipulates: “Competition rules must state
clearly who replaces a match official who is unable to start or continue and any
All verbal offences are penalised with an indirect free kick.
associated changes.” In matches using VARs, this also applies to replay operators.
If the referee stops play for an offence committed by a player, inside or outside
As special training and qualifications are needed to be a video match official
the field of play, against an outside agent, play is restarted with a dropped ball,
(VMO)/replay operator, the following principles must be included in competition
unless a free kick is awarded for leaving the field of play without the referee's
rules:
permission.
• A VAR, AVAR or replay operator who is unable to start or continue may only be
replaced by someone who is qualified for that role
Explanation
• If no qualified replacement can be found for the VAR or replay operator,* the
A free kick/penalty kick can only be awarded for an offence committed against match must be played/continue without the use of VARs
someone on the team lists (players, substitutes, substituted players, sent-off • If no qualified replacement can be found for the AVAR,* the match must be
players and team officials) or a match official. If play is stopped because of an played/continue without the use of VARs unless, in exceptional circumstances,
incident involving any other person, animal, object etc. (outside agent), play both teams agree in writing that the match may be played/continue with only
restarts with a dropped ball, except where a free kick is awarded for leaving the the VAR and replay operator
field of play without the referee’s permission.
*This does not apply where there is more than one AVAR/replay operator.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol
Amended text Explanation
The use of video assistant referees (VARs) is only permitted where the match/ Competitions must include in their rules the principles to be followed if a video
competition organiser has fulfilled all the Implementation Assistance and match official (VMO) or replay operator (RO) becomes incapacitated before or
Approval Programme (IAAP) VAR protocol and implementation requirements, as during a match.
set out in the VAR Handbook FIFA’s IAAP documents, and has received written
permission from The IFAB and FIFA.
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Glossary – Football terms
Offensive, insulting or abusive language/action(s)
Verbal or physical behaviour which is rude, hurtful, disrespectful; punishable by
a sending-off (red card)
Glossary – Referee terms
‘Video’ match officials (VMOs)
These are the VAR and AVAR who assist the referee in accordance with the Laws
of the Game and the VAR protocol
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