1580: A certain Giovanni Bardi published a set of rules of the game of «calcio».
1848: The first Cambridge Rules are drawn up.
1877: The associations in Great Britain formed to gain a uniform code.
1886: 2 June 1886: first official meeting of the International Football Association Board.
1891: Introduction of the penalty-kick.
1913: FIFA becomes a member of the International F.A. Board.
1925: Amendment of off-side rule from three to two players.
1937-38: The present Laws framed in a new system of codification but based on the Laws previously in force.
1997: The Laws revised.
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NOTE: This compilation is a summary of amendments and decisions taken by the International F.A. Board. While every care has been taken to include all pertinent information, minor changes or identical changes in several Laws are not expressly mentioned.
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1978
Law XIII – Free-Kick
A free-kick awarded to the defending team, within its own goal-area, may be taken from any point within that half of the goal-area in which the free-kick has been awarded.
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1979
Law XIII – Free-Kick
Decision by the IFAB: in order to distinguish between a direct and an indirect free-kick, the referee, …, shall indicate accordingly by raising an arm above his head…
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1980
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
New offense: spitting at an opponent
Decision: the offence of spitting at officials and other persons, … shall be considered as violent conduct.
Law XIII – Free-Kick
Taking a free-kick inside one’s own penalty-area – the opposing team’s players shall be at least ten yards (9.15m) from the ball and shall remain outside the penalty area until the ball has been kicked out of the area.
Law XVI – Goal-Kick
Opponents of the team taking the goal-kick shall remain outside the penalty-area until the ball has been kicked out of the penalty-area.
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1981
Law III – Number of Players
A player who has been replaced shall not take any further part in the game. A substitute shall be subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee whether called upon to play or not.
Punishment: If a substitute enters the field of play without the authority of the referee, play shall be stopped. The substitute shall be cautioned and removed from the field or sent off according to the circumstances. The game shall be restarted by the referee dropping the ball at the place where it was when play was stopped.
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
A player shall be sent off the the field of play, if, in the opinion of the referee, he:
is guilty of violent conduct or serious foul play
uses foul or abusive language
persists in misconduct after having received a caution
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1982
Law VI – Linesmen
The linesmen are to indicate:
when the ball is out of play,
which side is entitled to a corner-kick, goal-kick or throw-in
when a substitution is desired
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
Introduction of the four-step rule:
…from the moment the ball comes under his (the goalkeeper’s) control, he takes more than four steps without releasing the ball into play and – having released it – he touches the ball again before it has been touched or played by another player…
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1983
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
Modification of the four-step rule:
…from the moment the ball comes under his (the goalkeeper’s) control, he takes more than four steps in any direction whilst holding, bouncing or throwing the ball in the air and catching it again, without releasing the ball into play or having released it into play before, during or after the four steps – he touches it again with his hands before it has been touched or played by another player…
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1984
Law VIII – The Start of Play
Drop-ball in the goal-area: on that part of the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal-line, at the point nearest to where the ball was in play when play was stopped.
Law XIII – Free-Kick
An indirect free-kick awarded to the attacking team within its opponent’s goal area shall be taken from the part of the goal-area line which runs parallel to the goal-line, at the point nearest where the offence was committed.
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1985
In various Laws: drop-ball provision in goal-area (cf. 1984) also extended to be consistent.
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
Modification of the four-step rule:
…from the moment the ball comes under his (the goalkeeper’s) control, he takes more than four steps in any direction whilst holding, bouncing or throwing the ball in the air and catching it again, without releasing the ball into play or having released it into play before, during or after the four steps – he touches it again with his hands before it has been touched or played by another player of the same team outside of the penalty-area, or by a player of the opposing team either inside or outside of the penalty-area.
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1986
Law III – Number of Players
The substitution is completed when the substitute enters the field of play, from which moment he becomes a player and the player whom he replaces ceases to be a player.
Law XIV – Penalty-Kick
The player taking the penalty-kick has to be properly identified.
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1987
Law VII – Duration of the Game (against time-wasting)
Allowance shall be made in either period for all the time lost through substitution, the transport from the field of injured players, time-wasting and other cause …the amount of which shall be a matter for the discretion of the referee.
Law XIV – Penalty-Kick
A goal may be scored directly from a penalty-kick. When a penalty-kick is taken in the normal course of play, or when time has been extended at half-time or full-time to allow a penalty-kick to be taken or retaken, a goal shall not be nullified if, before passing between the posts and under the crossbar, the ball touches either or both of the goal-posts, or the crossbar, or the goalkeeper or any combination of these agencies, providing that no other infringement occurred.
(in addition to that several decisions by the Board in case of encroachments)
Law XV – Throw-in
Decision: A throw-in taken from any position other than the point where the ball passed over the touchline shall be considered to have been improperly thrown in.
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1988
Law I – Decision:
The goalposts must be of white colour.
Law III – Number of players:
Substitutes may be used under the rules of any official competition under the jurisdiction of FIFA, Confederations or National Associations, …
…a team shall not be permitted to use more than two substitutes from more than five players…
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1989
Law IV – Players’ equipment
(Codification of a practice) Footwear must be worn by players and conform to the following standards: …and pertinent decisions.
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1990
Law IV – Players’ equipment (introduction of shinguards)
The basic compulsory equipment of a player shall consist of a jersey or shirt, shorts, stockings, shinguards and footwear (plus pertinent precisions regarding the shinguards.
Law XI – Off-side (being level)
A player is in an off-side position …, unless
b) he is not nearer to his opponents goal-line than at least two of his opponents
…3. b) if he receives the ball direct from a goal-kick, a corner-kick or a throw-in.
Decision: A player who is level with the second last opponent or with the last two opponents is not in an off-side position.
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
Mandatory Instruction of the IFAB («professional foul»)
If, in the opinion of the referee, a player who is moving towards his opponents’ goal with an obvious opportunity to score a goal is intentionally and physically impeded by unlawful means, i.e. an offence punishable by a free-kick (or a penalty-kick), thus denying the attacking player’s team the aforesaid goal-scoring opportunity, the offending player shall be sent off the field of play for serious foul play in accordance with Law XII (n).
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1991
Extension of the above mandatory instruction from 1990 which was made an official IFAB decision)
Decision: If, in the opinion of the referee, a player, other than the goalkeeper within his own penalty-area, denies his opponents a goal, or an obvious goalscoring opportunity, by intentionally handling the ball, he shall be sent off the field of play for serious foul play in accordance with Law XII (n).
Decision regarding when the goalkeeper is in possession of the ball:
…will be considered to be in control of the ball by touching it with any part of his hands or arms. Possession of the ball would include the goalkeeper intentionally parrying the ball, but would not include the circumstances, where, in the opinion of the referee, the ball rebounds accidentally from the goalkeeper, for example after he has made a save.
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1992
Law IV
Equipment must be in order.
Law V
Competence of referee from when he enters the field of play to sanction any player guilty of misconduct or ungentlemanly behaviour.
send off the field of play and show a red card to any player, who, in his opinion, is guilty of violent conduct, the use of foul or abusive language or who persists in misconduct after having received a caution.
Backpass ruling: Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
On any occasion when a player deliberately kicks the ball to his own goalkeeper, the goalkeeper is not permitted to touch it with his hands. If, however, the goalkeeper does touch the ball with his hands, he shall be penalised by the award of an indirect free-kick to be taken by the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred,…
Law XIII
Any free-kick awarded to the defending team within its own goal-area, may be taken from any point within the goal-area.
Law XVI – Goal-kick
To be taken from any point within the goal-area by a player of the defending team.
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1993
Law V – Referee
Decision 13: (Technical area) The coach may convey tactical instructions to players during the match.
The coach and other officials, however, must remain within the confines of the technical area where such an area is provided and they must conduct themselves, at all times, in a responsible manner.
Decision 14: (fourth official) In tournaments or competitions where a fourth official is appointed, his roles and duties shall be in accordance with the guidelines approved by the IFAB.
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
further precision of the four-step rule
further precision of time-wasting tactics
Precision that a player is to be cautioned and shown the yellow card as per the specific provisions. Precision that a player is to be sent off the field and shown the red card, if in the opinion of the referee, he:
is guilty of violent conduct
is guilty of serious foul play
uses foul or abusive language
is guilty of a second cautionable offence after having received a caution
Decision 18: Subject to the terms of Law XII, a player may pass the ball to his own goalkeeper using his head or chest or knee, etc. If, however, in the opinion of the referee, a player uses a deliberate trick to circumvent article 5 (c) of Law XII, the player will be guilty of ungentlemanly conduct …
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1994
Law I – The Field of Play
For safety reasons, the goals, including those which are portable, must be anchored securely to the ground.
Law III – Number of Players (substitute ruling 2 + 1)
…a team may also use a third substitute provided that he is designated as a substitute goalkeeper, who may be used to replace only the goalkeeper.
If, however, the goalkeeper is ordered off, the designated substitute goalkeeper may subsequently replace another player of the same team and play as goalkeeper.
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1995
Law III – Number of Players (three substitutes without restriction)
Up to a maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an official competition ..
Law VII – Duration of the Game
The half-time interval shall not exceed 15 minutes.
Law XI Off-side
It is not an offence in itself to be in an off-side position.
A player shall only be penalised for being in an off-side position, if, at the moment the ball touches, or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:
interfering with play, or
interfering with an opponent, or
gaining an advantage by being in that position.
Laws XII – re-editing of offences
Decisions 6, 7, 10 and 13 to punish various offences
Law XIV – Penalty-kick
A penalty-kick shall be taken from the penalty-mark and, when it is being taken, all players with the exception of the player taking the kick, properly identified, and the opposing goalkeeper, shall be within the field of play, but outside the penalty-area, at least 10 yards, from the penalty-mark and must stand behind the penalty-mark.
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1996
Law II – The Ball
As per requirements of FIFA Denominations as set forth in Decision 4 of the IFAB
Law III – Number of Players
The rules of the competition shall state how many substitutes may be nominated, from three up to a maximum of seven.
Law V – Referees
Decision 7: (advantage clause) If the referee applies the advantage clause and the advantage which was anticipated does not develop at that time, the referee shall penalise the original offence.
Law VI – Assistant Referees (formerly Linesmen)
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
provisions regarding offences that are punishable by a direct free-kick and if committed in the penalty-area by a penalty-kick;
dangerous play to be punished by an indirect free-kick.
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1997
Law IV – Players’ Equipment
Now includes the statement: «If thermal shorts are worn they must be of the same main colour as the shorts.»
Law V – The Referees
«Any player bleeding from a wound must leave the field for treatment.»
Law VIII – The Start and Restart of Play
«The team which wins the toss shall decide which goal it will attack in the first half of the match. The other team shall take the kick-off.»
«A goal may be scored directly from the kick-off.»
«The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward.»
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
An indirect free-kick will be awarded if the goalkeeper handles the ball after receiving it from a throw-in from his own team.
«Unsporting behaviour» replaces «ungentlemanly conduct» as a cautionable offence.
«Failing to respect the required distance at a restart of play» becomes a cautionable offence.
«Delaying the restart of play» becomes a cautionable offence.
IFAB decisions 13 and 14, which relate to the prevention of obvious goal scoring opportunities now become Law.
«Using offensive, insulting or abusive language» replaces «foul or abusive language».
Binding instruction
The referee has to consider that the goalkeeper is wasting time and therefore has to award an indirect free-kick against him, if he holds the ball for longer than 5 – 6 seconds.
Law XIV – The Penalty Kick
The new text states «The goalkeeper remains on his own goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked». The phrase «without moving his feet» has been deleted.
Players who enter the penalty area before the ball has been kicked need not now be cautioned.
Law XVI – The Goal Kick
«A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick.»
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1998
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
A tackle from behind which endangers the safety of an opponent must be sanctioned as serious foul play.
Acts of serious foul play are punishable by a red card.
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1999
Law V – The Referee
Amendment to point 3 under «Powers and Duties»: ensures that any ball used meets the requirements of Law 2
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
New Decision 6: Any simulating action anywhere on the field, which is intended to deceive the referee, must be sanctioned as unsporting behaviour.
The Fourth Official
New wording – 6th point: He has the authority to check the equipment of substitutes before they enter the field of play. If their equipment does not comply with the Laws of the Game, he informs the referee.
New point 7: He has the authority to inform the referee of irresponsible behaviour by any occupant of the technical area.
At the request of the International Football Association Board, the national associations are furthermore recommended to appoint a fourth official to top division matches in competitions organised by national associations or their leagues.
Other decisions passed by the IFAB
Use of two referees:
IFAB has authorised FIFA to conduct an experiment in which two referees officiate on the field at the same time. The IFAB sub-committee will draw up the technical conditions for the experiment in April and FIFA will then choose the league(s) in those national associations in which the experiment will be carried out.
National associations are reminded that no experiment of this kind may be made in any match without prior written permission from FIFA.
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2000
Law I – The Field of Play
New Decision 4:
(Present Decisions 4 and 5 become Decisions 5 and 6 respectively)
There shall be no advertising of any kind within the technical area or within one metre from the touch line and outside the field of play on the ground.
Further, no advertising shall be allowed in the area between the goal line and the goal nets.
Law III – The Number of Players
New text:
Other matches:
In other matches, substitutes may be used provided that
• the teams concerned reach an agreement on a maximum number
• the referee is informed before the match
If the referee is not informed, or if no agreement is reached before the start of the match, no more than three substitutes are allowed.
Law III – The Number of Players
New Decision 2:
The coach may convey tactical instructions to the players during the match and he must return to his position immediately after giving these instructions. He and the other officials must remain within the confines of the technical area, where such an area is provided, and they must behave in a responsible manner.
Law VI – The Assistant Referees
New text:
Duties:
Two assistant referees are appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate:
when the whole of the ball has passed out of the field of play
which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in
when a player may be penalised for being in an offside position
when a substitution is requested
when misconduct or any other incident has occurred out of the view of the referee
when offences have been committed whenever the assistants are closer to the action than the referee (this includes, in particular circumstances, offences committed in the penalty area)
whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper has moved forward before the ball has been kicked and if the ball has crossed the line
Assistance:
The assistant referees also assist the referee to control the match in accordance with the Laws of the Game. In particular, they may enter the field of play to help control the 9.15m distance.
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
New text:
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following five offences:
• takes more than six seconds while controlling the ball with his hands before releasing it from his possession
(Rest of text unchanged)
Law XII – Fouls and Misconduct
New text:
Sending-off offences n°6:
• uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
Kicks from the Penalty Mark
New bullet points:
• When a team finishes the match with a greater number of players than their opponents, they shall reduce their numbers to equate with that of their opponents and inform the referee of the name and number of each player excluded. The team captain has this responsibility.
• Before the start of kicks from the penalty mark the referee shall ensure that only an equal number of players from each team remain within the centre circle and they shall take the kicks
Fourth Official
Amendments to bullet point:
• The Fourth Official assists the referee at all times. He must indicate to the referee when the wrong player is cautioned because of mistaken identity or when a player is not sent off having been seen to be given a second caution or when violent conduct occurs out of the view of the referee and assistant referees. The referee, however, retains the authority to decide on all points connected with play.
