[Archived] New Laws Of The Game

[Stuart]

Interesting discussion points. Also clarifies corner flags in the first change. I guess the marketing people won that one.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36256441?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_match_of_the_day&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=sport

Law 1 - the field of play

Logos permitted on corner flags (previously banned).

Mix of artificial and natural surfaces allowed on field of play (previously banned).

Law 3 - the players

If a substitute, sent-off player or match official interferes with play, causing the game to be stopped, it will result in a direct free-kick or penalty (previously indirect free-kick or drop-ball).

If a substitute, team official or outside agent stops a ball going into the goal, the referee can apply the advantage rule and award a goal.

Law 4 - the players' equipment

Players wearing undershorts or tights have to make sure they are the same colour as those worn by any team-mates - and they must also match their shorts.

A player leaving the field of play to change their boots can only be allowed back on by the referee.

Law 5 - the referee

Referees have the authority to take action from when they enter the field of play for the pre-match inspection, not from the start of the game - which means players could be sent off for an offence committed while warming up. But yellow cards can only be issued from the start of the match.

Players injured by opponents who are then sent off do not need to leave the pitch for treatment.

Law 7 - duration of the match

Time taken for drinks breaks can now officially be added on at the end of a game.

Law 8 - the start and restart of play

The ball no longer has to move forward at a kick-off - it just has to move for the game to start.

Referees should not 'manufacture' dropped ball situations, in terms of who takes them, or the outcome.

Law 10 - Determining the outcome of a match

Deciding which end a penalty shootout should take place is to be done by a coin-toss, subject to condition of the pitch, or safety concerns. It is no longer the referee's choice.

A team with more players than the other when the shootout starts must reduce the number of takers so they have the same number of eligible players - this will stop teams who have had a player sent off having their better penalty takers available sooner.

Law 11 - offside

Hands and arms are not included when judging offside.

Free-kicks for offside can be taken from where the offside player received the ball.

Law 12 - fouls and misconduct

Mike Dean

Indirect free-kicks used to be awarded when restarting games following offences against match officials. But lawmakers thought this sent out the wrong message, so they have upped it to a direct free-kick

A free-kick or penalty can only be awarded while the ball is in play.

Denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity in the penalty area is no longer a straight red card - unless the offence is holding, pulling or pushing; there's no attempt to play or no possibility of making a challenge; or it's an offence which is punishable by a red card, no matter where on the pitch it happens - violent conduct, for example.

Violent conduct is punishable by a red card even if no contact is made.

An offence against a match official will result in a direct free-kick or penalty.

Law 13 - free-kicks

When fouls are committed off the pitch when the ball is in play, the match is restarted with a free-kick on the touchline nearest where the incident occurred. A direct free-kick will be awarded for direct free-kick offences - and a penalty could be awarded if it happens parallel to the penalty area.

Law 14 - the penalty kick

Players who feint to kick the ball once they have taken a run-up when taking a penalty will get booked for unsporting behaviour. Feinting in the run-up is allowed. And goalkeepers who come off their line too early will also be booked.

Law 15 - the throw-in

Opposing players who try to impede a throw-in will be cautioned if they are standing under two metres away.

Law 17 - the corner kick

The wording has been changed in the laws to say: "The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves." This is to stop players "unsportingly" touching the ball and pretending the corner has not been taken, to gain an advantage.

[donnermeat]

I'd like to see rule 14 be enforced, as they've never done anything about it before, albeit a couple of isolated incidents years ago. It's ridiculous when goalies are 3 yards off their line by the time the ball is kicked.

[Paul]

"Referees should not 'manufacture' dropped ball situations, in terms of who takes them, or the outcome."

Does this mean when the game is stopped for one of those rolling in agony get up 30 seconds later and sprint the length of the pitch injuries there will a proper dropped ball with two players competing for it?

If so excellent as it might stop many feigned injuries. Can we also have a law making it an offence to "sportingly" put the ball out of play when some primadonna has a hair out of place.

[Glosrover]

Denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity in the penalty area is no longer a straight red card - unless the offence is holding, pulling or pushing; there's no attempt to play or no possibility of making a challenge; or it's an offence which is punishable by a red card, no matter where on the pitch it happens - violent conduct, for example.

so do we think this means that the goal-line save by an outfield player is now just a handball?? ie just a yellow card

[cmb211087]

Possibly, though one of the new rules overrides that by stating the ref can award the goal anyway

[BlueMonday]

Not the Laws Of The Game, but the FA should introduce regulation that compulsorily change of ownership can be imposed on Clubs who are deliberately being run into the ground.

Rovers and Blackpool could be the test cases.

[JAL]

There should be a Law that bans betting on all football matches in any country in the world.

[G Somerset Rover]

Enough to make guys like Merce and Chaddy suicidal that, Jal.

[Mike E]

Retrospective (and harsh) punishment for simulation. 8 match ban, wages for the duration donated to charity.

In fact, I'd say any suspension should be met with the wages for the duration being donated. We need to shock footballers into honesty imo.

Also, ban anyone with a criminal record from playing the game professionally.

[Baz]

They should give the lino a can of that spray stuff so they can mark a throw in.

Also, any player shouting at, swearing at, running at or waving their arms either to get another player booked, or to protest a referees decision, should get an automatic yellow card.

Retrospective (and harsh) punishment for simulation. 8 match ban, wages for the duration donated to charity.

In fact, I'd say any suspension should be met with the wages for the duration being donated. We need to shock footballers into honesty imo.

And there ended Neymars career.

[Mike E]

They should give the lino a can of that spray stuff so they can mark a throw in.

Also, any player shouting at, swearing at, running at or waving their arms either to get another player booked, or to protest a referees decision, should get an automatic yellow card.

And there ended Neymars career.

Agreed.

And good! Footballers are meant to be role models.

[oldjamfan1]

Law 10 - Determining the outcome of a match

Deciding which end a penalty shootout should take place is to be done by a coin-toss, subject to condition of the pitch, or safety concerns. It is no longer the referee's choice.

A team with more players than the other when the shootout starts must reduce the number of takers so they have the same number of eligible players - this will stop teams who have had a player sent off having their better penalty takers available sooner.

I must admit I was always under the impression that the determination of which end a penalty shootout took place was already on the toss of a coin - just shows you, every day is a schoolday.

I disagree with the introduction of the new rule in that second paragraph. Surely you're meant to be disadvantaged by having a man sent off, and in any case if you're getting to the 9th, 10th and 11th members of teams (which is where that rule would likely kick in) they are normally the guys who didn't really want to take a penalty anyway, so why be bureaucratic about it?

[RevidgeBlue]

Don't like the change to the denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity rule giving refs more discretion. There was nothing wrong with the rule to start with and we all know what will happen, players from unfashionable clubs will still be sent off as a matter of course but ways will be found to keep players from the top 4 or 5 clubs on the pitch.