UEFA: New refereeing guidelines

The most significant legacy from the World Cup concerns refereeing rules, leading to faster matches, fewer tricks and simulations, and greater control over potentially decisive errors. It was a necessary regulatory shift. However, the flip side was the excessive use of VAR, particularly in the latter stages of the tournament, with some 'retroactive' decisions perhaps best avoided. Consequently, to distance itself from FIFA and re-emphasize the referee's central role, UEFA has established new guidelines for the upcoming European club competitions. Roberto Rosetti, UEFA's chief refereeing officer, outlined how these will be implemented across the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and Nations League, aiming for greater uniformity with domestic leagues.

Throw-ins and Goal Kicks

The new IFAB rule has been adopted. For throw-ins and goal kicks, a 5-second countdown will commence from the moment the referee blows the whistle and signals. Any player exceeding this time limit will forfeit the throw-in to the opposition or concede a corner to the attacking side.

Quick substitutions

Another anti-timewasting measure concerns substitutions. Players must exit the field within 10 seconds of their numbers being displayed on the substitution board. Failure to comply will still result in the player being replaced, but their team will be forced to play short for at least 1 minute, until the next stoppage in play allows the substitute to enter.

Injuries

As Rosetti highlights, “far fewer players are seen collapsing on the pitch”, ensuring the game maintains its rhythm. Should an injury necessitate medical attention or a stoppage in play, the injured player will remain off the field for 1 minute. Exceptions apply if the foul led to a yellow or red card, if a goalkeeper is involved, or if it's a collision between teammates.

Covering mouth

On this matter, UEFA diverges from FIFA. Covering one's mouth while speaking to an opponent will not result in an immediate red card. The referee will have discretion to assess the situation and, if warranted, issue a yellow card, not a sending off. Rosetti remarked, “too often we've seen players demand opponents be sent off for a simple hand gesture”.

VAR and Second Yellow Cards

VAR will now review second yellow cards, “also to prevent incidents like those involving Lukaku and Bastoni. The Juventus player shouldn't have been booked, while Bastoni should have been”. There will be no review for a first yellow card: “It's part of football; a booking can be a mistake, and it would be dangerous to start reviewing everything”.

Silent Check at Corner Kicks

The new rule is approved, but Rosetti clarifies it will only apply “in absolutely clear cases, involving the last touch, without reviewing previous phases of play, and without wasting time”.

VAR with ball not in play at restarts

Previously, VAR could not intervene when the ball was not already in play at restarts. However, the protocol has changed. For instance, if an attacking foul occurs before play restarts, video review is now permitted.

Ball played in the penalty area

To prevent past misunderstandings: if the ball in the penalty area has already been played and it is in motion, a handball (even if it appears as a part of a goal kick yet to be taken) will result in a penalty kick.

Only the Captain

“No more mobbing of referees”, stated Rosetti. Only the captain is permitted to speak with the referee. Any player who fails to respect this rule, or acts in a threatening or disrespectful manner, will be shown a card.

VAR Review Process

“VAR should correct clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents that could alter the outcome of a match”. Rosetti outlined the VAR process for referees: first, they assess the still image, then the action in slow motion, and finally at real speed. The decision is derived from this combined review.

Clear Line

The true revolution lies in a new video library on the UEFA website dedicated to refereeing decisions. This resource will allow users to consult over 150 situations, providing a constant reference for when VAR should or should not be applied. Rosetti added, “this is for fans, journalists, and observers, so there are no more doubts”.

Offside

Already implemented in Italy, semi-automatic offside is set to arrive in the Champions League. If an offside is clear, for example, by more than 30 centimetres, the AR will receive an audio message and the flag will be raised immediately, stopping play. Otherwise, the message will be “delay”, meaning play continues and the situation is reviewed afterwards.

VAR Philosophy

“VAR is not a second refereeing system”, Rosetti explained. “We are putting the referees at the centre. Good referees must make decisions, even unpopular ones”.

Source: La Gazzetta

Rosetti launched UEFA Clear Line: “It's football, not PlayStation!”

UEFA referees' chief Roberto Rosetti says some video assistant referee reviews "were not connected with football" after meeting with leaders from the top European leagues last month. Rosetti was speaking as he launched Clear Line, an external first-of-its-kind portal for fans which tries to lay out when a VAR should, and should not, intervene. The lead referee officers from England, Spain, Germany, France and Italy met with Rosetti and David Elleray, the IFAB's technical director, to try to find a more uniform approach to decisions. "We realise that everywhere now there is not any satisfaction about how VAR is impacting football," Rosetti said. "So, we want to avoid microscopic situations. The context is super important. It's football, not PlayStation. We need to be very, very careful. The referee must referee the match. It's something important for football, for clear situations and clear mistakes." Rosetti conceded that trying to find a consistent approach across all leagues, which tend to have their own interpretations of some offences, would be difficult. On Clear Line, UEFA has uploaded many video examples of handball situations to explain what is considered an offence. "The idea is to be more consistent in the application of the laws," Rosetti said. "The perception about handball in England is different. Football is not perfect, and sometimes we will continue to have similar situations interpreted in different ways. But at least we are working together." With VAR, too, the Champions League and the Premier League are worlds apart. In the 2025-26 campaign, the Premier League had the lowest intervention rate in Europe at 0.29 per game, while the Champions League was 0.47 per game. Rosetti said that there were "too many reviews" and more interventions were affecting player behaviour, with attempts to play for or earn video decisions. "We wanted to come back to the origin of VAR," Rosetti said, referencing incidents like Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup. "We are not happy any more about this kind of use of VAR. We want to try to come back a little bit, and to put again the referees at the centre." Rosetti said that the time being taken over VAR reviews was a particular concern, with lengthy reviews featuring multiple TV replays being less acceptable to supporters. Any check longer than 90 seconds, Rosetti says, risks "losing credibility". A new collective protocol was agreed whereby, when at the monitor, a referee would be shown a freeze-frame for point of contact, followed by half-speed, and then full speed for the intensity of the challenge. "We like referees with personality, taking decisions on the pitch, and VAR intervening only for clear and obvious situations," the Italian said. "So clear images without too many replays. It is something that for us is very important. We were seeing that some on-field reviews were not connected with football. It's about normal speed, context. It's about football."

Rosetti described Clear Line as "a guide for all the people of football" and not for officials. It goes through each area the VAR covers - penalties, red card, attacking offences, factual decisions and mistaken identity - in great detail with video examples. "We started to think how we could help everyone to understand VAR better," he said. "It's a library, a structure, a document where we explain when [and] how VAR will intervene. This is not a web page for referees. This is the space that we would like you to go to after a Champions League match to check how an incident compares with this library. It's for the clubs, for the players, for the fans."

Source: BBC

UEFA standardised VAR review process

As the use of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) continues to evolve, it is important that European referees implement a clear, consistent review process. Analysing incidents in the same structured way across all European domestic and national competitions helps to promote greater understanding of how VAR decisions are taken – not just among referees and VAR teams, but also broadcasters, clubs, players and supporters. In turn, this will strengthen confidence in VAR throughout the game. To support referees and strengthen confidence in VAR throughout the game, we recommend match officials follow a common four-step review sequence at the pitch-side monitor.

Step 1: Offence identification

The review should begin with the clearest angle showing the alleged offence. Where necessary, a frozen image can be used to help identify the exact point of contact or key moment. The priority is not to make an immediate decision but to establish precisely what happened.

Step 2: Technical assessment

The referee should then analyse the incident using a tight camera angle, typically through two or three replays shown at 50% speed. Replays should be repeated to show the complete player movement and facilitate a detailed technical assessment of the action.

Step 3: Context at normal speed

After review of the technical details, the incident should be assessed in its full context. By deploying a wider camera angle and two or three replays at normal speed, the referee can watch the build-up, the incident itself, and several seconds afterwards. This phase helps to evaluate factors such as intensity, dynamic movement, impact and any tactical considerations that may influence a final decision.

Step 4: Final decision

The VAR review process should then finish with the most conclusive image available in support of the referee’s final decision. This ensures that the outcome is based on the strongest and most relevant visual evidence.

Source: UEFA

IFAB: “Mistaken identity” does not include simulation despite World Cup decisions

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which determines the laws of the game, clarified that mistaken identity can only be used to identify the player who committed an offence rather than the offence itself being reviewed or changed, as in instances of player simulation. They added that the use of the mistaken identity clause going forward was subject to a review of the VAR protocol at the World Cup. This summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico had seen a number of new laws introduced, with the video assistant referees (VAR) given extended powers to intervene. Among the changes was VAR’s ability to step in the cases of mistaken identity on yellow and red cards. The rules of IFAB said ahead of the tournament that the VAR, who has independent access to match footage, may assist the on-field referee in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ in relation to mistaken identity, when the wrong player has been shown a yellow or red card. That, however, led to some confusion over the precise threshold of that law and whether it could include instances of simulation, resulting in a difference offence being charged. It was first used in the United States’ group-stage win over Paraguay, when Tim Ream was initially shown a yellow card by on-field referee Danny Makkelie for what was perceived as a trip on Paraguay attacker Miguel Almiron. The VAR Carlos del Cerro recommended a review based on ‘mistaken identity’, with the decision used to reverse the decision as Ream did not in fact make contact with Almiron. Makkelie reversed his initial decision and instead booked the Paraguayan for simulation.

Another high-profile use of ‘mistaken identity’ was used in Argentina’s quarter-final win over Switzerland, when Embolo initially was awarded a free-kick with Argentina’s Leandro Paredes booked for a challenge. Again, the VAR recommended the instance be reviewed as there was no contact from Paredes on Embolo, who was upon review deemed to have dived and was shown a yellow card — his second of the game — and sent off. The yellow for Paredes, meanwhile, was overturned. That proved a pivotal moment in the game, coming just five minutes after Switzerland had made it 1-1 in the last-eight tie, with Argentina going on to win 3-1 after extra time.

In a circular on Monday, the IFAB clarified VAR’s protocol on mistaken identity to confirm the original offence should not be overturned - as it was in the instances of Almiron and Embolo receiving yellows for simulation - and it can only be done so if the incorrect player was penalised based on the on-field official’s initial judgement. This was despite the IFAB stating that its use in retrospectively punishing simulation being “well received” during the tournament. “A yellow card (caution) which is not a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offence that was penalised; the offence itself cannot be reviewed/changed,” the ruling reads. “The use of the mistaken identity clause to deal with simulation during the World Cup was well received and will be included in the detailed review of the VAR protocol announced in circular no. 32. However, it may not be used as such until that review is concluded.” During the cases of Almiron and Embolo at the World Cup, the VAR advice was changing from the decision of a foul to a decision on simulation which meant reviewing different, subjective offences in which the on-field referee must visit the pitch-side screen.

Source: The Athletic

Red card for players covering their mouth to conceal discriminatory behaviour or leaving the field in protest

At a Special Meeting held in Vancouver, Canada, The IFAB unanimously approved two FIFA-proposed Law amendments to address discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour. As was agreed at The IFAB’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in February, these decisions follow thorough FIFA-led consultations with all key stakeholders.

Players covering their mouths in situations of confrontation with opponents

At the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.

Players leaving the field of play in protest at a referee’s decision

At the discretion of the competition organiser, the referee may sanction with a red card any player who leaves the field of play in protest at a referee's decision. This new rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play. A team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match.

These amendments will be communicated to the 48 participating teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the coming weeks.

Source: FIFA

The IFAB seeking to improve match flow and player behaviour

At its 140th Annual General Meeting (AGM), The International Football Association Board (The IFAB) approved a package of measures designed to enhance match tempo and reduce time-wasting across the game. These changes, which will be implemented at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and all other competitions, respond directly to calls from stakeholders across the football community, including The IFAB’s globally representative advisory panels, for practical tools to protect effective playing time.

Throw-ins and goal kicks

Building on last year’s widely welcomed change in the Laws to prevent goalkeepers from holding the ball for too long, the AGM confirmed the extension of the countdown principle to throw-ins and goal kicks. If the referee considers that a throw-in or goal kick is taking too long or is being deliberately delayed, a five-second visual countdown will be initiated. If the ball is not in play at the end of the countdown, the throw-in will be awarded to the opposing team; a delayed goal kick will result in a corner kick to the opposing team.

Time-limited substitutions

To further streamline match flow, substituted players must leave the field of play within 10 seconds of the substitution board being displayed or, where no board is used, upon the referee’s signal. Should the player fail to leave within this time, they must still exit the field; however, the substitute will not be permitted to enter until the first stoppage after one minute of play (running clock) has elapsed.

Off-field treatment and assessment

Where a player receives on-field assessment for an injury, or their injury causes play to be stopped, the player will be required to leave the field of play and remain off for one minute once play (running clock) has restarted.

VAR system protocol developments

Regarding the VAR system protocol, the AGM approved three adjustments. Where there is clear evidence, the VAR will now be permitted to check and review: red cards arising from a clearly incorrect second yellow card; mistaken identity, when the referee penalises the wrong team for an offence resulting in a red or yellow card being shown to the wrong player; and competitions may allow VARs to review a clearly incorrectly awarded corner kick, provided that the review can be completed immediately and without delaying the restart.

Laws of the Game 2026/27

Additionally, the next edition of the Laws of the Game, effective from 1 July 2026 (with competitions starting before that date being able to implement the changes earlier), will feature the following amendments:

- Law 3 (The Players): The number of permitted substitutes in senior ‘A’ international friendly matches is increased to eight; both teams may agree to a further increase up to a maximum of eleven.

- Law 4 (The Player’s Equipment): Non-dangerous items will be permitted if safely and securely covered.

- Law 5 (The Referee): Referee body cameras (chest- or head-mounted) may be used as a competition option, with the competition providing the cameras and controlling the use of the footage.

- Law 8 (The Start and Restart of Play): Clarification that the ball is dropped for the team that would have had or retained possession had play not been stopped.

- Law 10 (Determining the Outcome of a Match) and Law 14 (The Penalty Kick): Incorporation of the clarification contained in circular 31 (June 2025) regarding an accidental “double touch” by the penalty taker.

- Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct): Where the referee applies advantage for an offence for (denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity and a goal is scored), the offending player will not be cautioned, as the offence did not prevent a goal.

The IFAB also agreed that consultation will be held to develop measures where (i) players unilaterally deciding to leave the field of play as an act of protest a referee’s decision or team officials instigating such action, and (ii) players covering their mouth when confronting opponents during matches. The AGM agreed to continue offside trials related to offside and received updates on the development of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), and the ongoing FIFA-led trial of Football Video Support. (Source: IFAB)

Collina explains upcoming changes

“The goal is to eliminate, or to eliminate as much as possible, timewasting that hinders the spectacle of the game,” Collina told La Gazzetta dello Sport about the upcoming changes that were decided upon on Saturday. “Last year we introduced the ‘eight second rule’ for goalkeepers, which has been a great success. There have been very few cases where a corner has been granted. The deterrent has worked. Considering the amount of time that is lost through so many goal-kicks and free-kicks, we thought we needed to find a solution.”

Another rule that will be introduced at the FIFA World Cup is a 10-second limit for players to leave the field after a substitution has been called. If players fail to leave the pitch within the allocated 10 seconds, the replacement substitute will not be permitted to enter until the next stoppage in play, or until one minute of action has passed. “We already did something, making substitutes leave the pitch from the nearest point. The time limit is a more effective deterrent than the yellow card, which is sometimes seen as some sort of ‘deal’,” Collina said. “The results in recent years in MLS show that this measure works,” he added.

VAR will now be able to intervene on second yellow card decisions, which had not previously been the case. Just two weeks ago in Serie A, Pierre Kalulu was incorrectly sent off for a second bookable offence in one of the biggest matches of the season, the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus, but the referee Federico La Penna was unable to refer the incident for review as it was not a straight red card incident. This will no longer be the case. Some might argue that it should always have been the case that VAR is able to intervene on second yellow card offences and not just for straight red card incidents. “When we decided on the VAR trial in 2016, the technology was very different,” Collina explained. “The protocol was written from scratch and took inspiration from other sports, such as rugby, and video officials had no prior experience. Today, the situation is very different. We’ve been discussing it for a few years and unfortunately until now, some had not considered it to be a priority, which is a shame.” VAR will now also be able to review corner kick decisions, which had not previously been the case. “A corner is a resumption of play that always takes a certain amount of time,” Collina said. “Usually, you must wait until the centre-backs go up and the kicker often has to cross the length of the pitch. In that time, it could be the case that by simply looking at an image, you realise the decision was wrong. Does it make sense to let the corner go and hope that a goal isn’t scored? It’s much better to correct the initial decision and postpone it.” (Source: Football Italia)

IFAB supports improving match flow and reducing disruptions

At its Annual Business Meeting (ABM) held in London, The IFAB focused on various measures aimed at continuing to improve match flow and reduce tempo disruption. Following positive global feedback on the change made in the Laws of the Game 2025/26 to prevent goalkeepers from holding the ball for too long, other measures to reduce tempo disruption were agreed. One such amendment would involve applying the countdown principle to throw-ins and goal kicks, enabling referees to start counting down when players are delaying the taking of those restarts. Following recommendations made by The IFAB’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels in October 2025, the meeting proposed amendments to the Laws of the Game that would require players who receive on-field injury treatment or assessment to leave the field of play and remain off it for a fixed period (to be determined) after play has restarted. The meeting also agreed that a ten-second time limit should be enforced for players leaving the field of play when being substituted.

In relation to the video assistant referee (VAR) protocol, the ABM recommended that VAR intervention should remain restricted to four match-changing situations (goal/no goal, penalty/no penalty, red cards and mistaken identity), but with three specific extensions that would not overly interrupt the flow of the game or slow down play. The ABM proposed that, where there is clear factual evidence, video match officials should be permitted to review red cards resulting from incorrect second yellow cards, as well as cases of mistaken identity in which the wrong team is penalised for an offence resulting in a red or yellow card. The meeting also proposed that competitions be permitted the option for video match officials to review instances of a clearly wrongly awarded corner kick, provided that this can be done immediately and without delaying the restart. The ABM agreed to continue with offside trials, and further updates were provided on developments in semi-automated offside technology and the ongoing FIFA-led trial of Football Video Support, both of which have been successfully implemented at FIFA tournaments and in several domestic competitions. The ABM was also informed about trials involving referees wearing body cameras at grassroots and senior levels and expressed support for incorporating their use as an option for competitions in the Laws of the Game. The ABM determines the agenda for The IFAB’s Annual General Meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Wales on Saturday, 28 February 2026.

Source: IFAB

FIFA studying offside rule overhaul

FIFA has confirmed it is studying a potential overhaul of the offside rule, a discussion that gained momentum after Gianni Infantino addressed the issue publicly at the World Sport Summit in Dubai. “We are constantly reviewing the Laws of the Game and asking how football can be more attacking, more attractive,” said the FIFA president, underlining the organization’s intent to enhance the spectacle without sacrificing fairness.

At the center of the debate is the so-called Wenger Law, a proposal that would redefine how offside positions are judged. The concept, promoted by Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, suggests that an attacker should only be penalized if they are clearly and entirely ahead of the penultimate defender. Such a shift would mark a clear departure from the current interpretation, where marginal decisions - often determined by a shoulder or knee - can result in an offside call. The aim is to reduce ultra-fine judgments that have sparked controversy, particularly with the use of VAR. “Perhaps in the future, the attacker will need to be completely ahead to be offside,” Infantino explained. The conversation extends beyond offside decisions. For Gianni Infantino, regulatory changes are part of a broader evolution driven by technology and modern officiating. “We introduced VAR to make football fairer, to give referees the chance to correct mistakes that millions of people can see,” he recalled, emphasizing that the system continues to evolve. According to FIFA, any potential rule changes will undergo extensive testing before being adopted, with the primary goal of assisting referees in making more accurate calls.

Looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, referees could be granted expanded authority through additional technological support. This was confirmed by Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s Head of Refereeing. Officials may be allowed to review corner kick decisions and second yellow cards. “The objective should always be to make the right decision on the pitch,” Collina stated. “It would be unfortunate if a tournament were decided by an involuntary officiating error rather than by the players.” Beyond offside reform, FIFA is also exploring measures to limit time-wasting during matches. The intention is to speed up play, reduce stoppages and protect effective playing time. We are also looking at ways to prevent time loss,” Infantino noted, signaling that further adjustments to the Laws of the Game could be on the horizon.

Source: BeInSports

IFAB discuss improving match flow and reducing disruptions in football

In a virtual meeting of The IFAB’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels (FAP-TAP), chaired by Noel Mooney, Chief Executive of The Football Association of Wales, discussions covered a wide range of topics, with a particular focus on further measures to improve the flow of play and minimise interruptions and time lost.

Following a summary of the Law changes that came into force on 1 July 2025, the experts were informed about the clarification issued earlier this year regarding accidental double touches at penalty kicks, which will be incorporated into the Laws of the Game 2026/27.

After an update on the positive global feedback regarding the successful introduction of the new provisions to prevent goalkeepers from holding the ball for too long (an eight-second time limit coupled with a visual five-second countdown by the referee and a corner kick being awarded in the event of offences), further ways to improve match flow and reduce tempo disruption were discussed. Deliberations included whether the countdown principle could be applied to throw-ins and goal kicks and how to reduce the amount of time lost owing to stoppages caused by injuries and substitutions.

In relation to the video assistant referee (VAR) protocol, it was discussed that, among others, the video match officials (VMO) should have the possibility to intervene when an incorrect second yellow card has been given. A relevant proposal will be submitted to the IFAB’s Annual Business Meeting, which is due to meet on 20 January 2026 in London.

FAP-TAP noted that the roll-out of the “Only the captain” guidelines had been widely welcomed, helping to foster more respectful interactions between referees and players, while enhancing the overall image of the game. While the guidelines are currently optional, FAP-TAP recommended that they become a mandatory protocol in the Laws of the Game, thereby giving competitions sufficient time to prepare.

FAP-TAP was updated on the ongoing trial of an alternative offside concept and were invited to share their views on whether any changes to the Law were necessary. They were asked to consider whether the main objective should be to reduce marginal offside decisions in modern football to promote more attacking play. The members agreed that the issue required further analysis and additional trials before any decisions could be made.

They also received updates on developments in advanced semi-automated offside technology and on the ongoing FIFA-led trial of Football Video Support (FVS), both of which have been successfully implemented at FIFA competitions. Furthermore, FAP-TAP was informed about the current trials with referees wearing body cameras at both professional and grassroots levels.

Source: IFAB

IFAB Clarification on double touches

The IFAB wishes to clarify Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match and Law 14 – The Penalty Kick regarding the situation when the penalty taker accidentally kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously or when the ball touches the penalty taker’s non-kicking foot or leg immediately after they have taken the kick. This situation is rare, and as it is not directly covered in Law 14, referees have understandably tended to penalise the kicker for having touched the ball again before it has touched another player, thus awarding an indirect free kick to the opposition or, in the case of penalties (penalty shoot-out), recording the kick as missed. However, this part of Law 14 is primarily intended for situations where the penalty taker deliberately touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player (e.g. when it rebounds from the goalpost(s) or crossbar without touching the goalkeeper). This is very different from the penalty taker accidentally kicking the ball with both feet simultaneously or touching the ball with their non-kicking foot or leg immediately after they have taken the kick, which usually occurs because they have slipped when taking it. Not penalising an accidental double touch would nevertheless be unfair, as the goalkeeper can be disadvantaged by the altered trajectory of the ball. 

The IFAB would like to clarify the procedures in the following situations:

· The penalty taker accidentally kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously or the ball touches their non-kicking foot or leg immediately after the kick:

- If the kick is successful, it is retaken

- If the kick is unsuccessful, an indirect free kick is awarded (unless the referee plays advantage when it clearly benefits the defending team) or, in the case of penalties (penalty shoot-out), the kick is recorded as missed

· The penalty taker deliberately kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously or deliberately touches it a second time before it has touched another player:

- An indirect free kick is awarded (unless the referee plays advantage when it clearly benefits the defending team) or, in the case of penalties (penalty shoot-out), the kick is recorded as missed.

These clarified procedures are effective for competitions starting on or after 1 July 2025 and may be used by competitions starting before that date.

Source: IFAB

Laws of the Game 2025/26 Changes

The International Football Association Board (The IFAB) has approved several changes to the Laws of the Game for 2025/26. After trials have shown a major positive impact where goalkeepers have been holding onto the ball for too long, The IFAB has unanimously decided to amend Law 12.2 (Indirect free kick). The amendment means that if a goalkeeper holds the ball for longer than eight seconds (with the referee using a visual five-second countdown), the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team (rather than the current indirect free kick for more than six seconds).

In relation to Law 3.10 (Team captain), guidelines have been introduced into the Laws for any competitions wishing to apply the principle of only the captain approaching the referee in specific situations, which was successfully implemented in several competitions last year. The IFAB agreed that stronger cooperation and communication between captains and referees, who often face verbal and/or physical dissent when making decisions, can help instill higher levels of fairness and mutual respect, both of which are core values of the game. The AGM participants emphasised that competition organisers, players and match officials should work collaboratively to adhere to these guidelines. Furthermore, the next edition of the Laws of the Game, which will come into effect on 1 July 2025, will feature the following amendments:

- Law 8.2 (Dropped ball): If the ball is outside the penalty area when play is stopped, it is dropped for the team that had or would have gained possession if this is clear to the referee; otherwise, it is dropped for the team that last touched it. The ball is dropped at its position when play was stopped.

- Law 9.2 (Ball in play): An indirect free kick with no disciplinary sanction will be awarded if a team official, substitute, substituted or sent-off player or player who is temporarily off the field of play touches the ball as it is leaving the field of play and there was no intention to interfere unfairly.

- Video assistant referee (VAR) protocol: Competitions now have the option for the referee to make an announcement after a VAR review or lengthy VAR check.

- Practical guidelines for match officials: As the VAR can monitor goal/no goal decisions and goalkeeper encroachment, the assistant referee should be positioned in line with the penalty mark, which is the offside line.

Following positive feedback from competitions in which referees were permitted to wear body cameras in a limited number of top-level matches so that the footage could be deployed for training and education purposes, The IFAB supported FIFA’s undertaking to test body cameras worn by match officials in FIFA competitions to identify possible future use and develop quality and safety standards. FIFA confirmed its intention to implement body cameras at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup as part of the live match transmission. It was agreed that the successful use of body cameras worn by referees at grassroots level in England should be further tested and promoted given its positive impact on player behaviour. The IFAB also decided to pro-actively find competitions to conduct additional offside trials with the objectives of fostering attacking football and encouraging goal-scoring opportunities while maintaining the sport’s attractiveness. FIFA will make such trials at some upcoming FIFA competitions. FIFA also informed The IFAB about the trial with Football Video Support, a cost-effective system that requires a very small number of cameras and was successfully tested at several FIFA competitions in 2024. Given the positive results to date, it was agreed to extend the trials to more competitions.

Source: IFAB

Euro 2024: UEFA assessed Cucurella handball as missed penalty kick

More than two months after Euro 2024, the UEFA Referees Committee has told their international referees attending the Summer Course that the Cucurella handball in the quarter-final Germany-Spain should have resulted in a penalty kick. This instruction has been included in the latest review by the referees’ body, which periodically analyses European matches - whether at national team or club level – to uniformize the criteria and ensure that referees make the same decisions on similar plays. In the document, to which Relevo has had access, UEFA is blunt in its explanations: there was an error both for referee Anthony Taylor, who did not award the penalty kick after the Spanish player's handball, and for the VAR, for not intervening and suggesting a video review to the referee.

“Following the latest UEFA guidelines, a handball contact that stops a shot on goal should be penalized more strictly, and in most cases a penalty kick should be awarded, unless the defender's arm is very close to the body or across the body”, the comment said. “In this case, the defender stops the shot on goal with his arm, which is not very close to the body, making it bigger, so a penalty kick should have been awarded”, UEFA added. However, the European refereeing authorities do not consider that Marc Cucurella should have been given a yellow card: “No disciplinary action is required”, they concluded. The same criteria should have been included in the match report that the appointed UEFA observer, in this case the chairman of the Referees Committee, Roberto Rosetti, prepared after the game and which the referees involved in the match received, as usual, along with their marks for the match. That match between the recent European champions and the tournament hosts in Stuttgart resulted in key match incidents for both referee and the VAR, reflected in their marks.

Source: Relevo

“Captain only” measure implemented at Olympic Football Tournaments

FIFA has issued guidelines to all participating teams at the Olympic Football Tournaments Paris 2024 in relation to the measure permitting only team captains to approach the referee in certain situations.

FIFA encourages the implementation of this procedure by competition organisers globally, should they wish to do so, from the elite level down. Stressing the importance of the measure, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “Without referees there is no football. Protecting match officials and ensuring they are treated with respect is fundamental for the future of the game. Implementing measures such as “captain only” is crucial in maintaining the spirit of football and safeguarding those who uphold its laws.” The Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, also praised the initiative: “This is an important step based on the overarching idea of further enhancing fairness and respect in football while enabling an open line of dialogue between the referee and the teams. As we have seen in the past, measures that are in defence of football end up being accepted.”

Source: FIFA

Laws of the Game Changes 2024/25

The current edition of the Laws of the Game, which came into effect on 1 July 2024, features the following changes and clarifications:

Law 3 (The Players): Additional permanent concussion substitutions to be a competition option in accordance with the necessary protocol.

Law 3 (The Players) and Law 4 (The Players’ Equipment): Each team must have a team captain who wears an identifying armband.

Law 4 (The Players’ Equipment): Players are responsible for the size and suitability of their shinguards, which remain a compulsory part of their equipment.

Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct): Handball offences that are not deliberate, and for which penalties are awarded, are to be treated in the same way as other fouls.

Law 14 (The Penalty Kick): Part of the ball must touch or overhang the centre of the penalty mark, and encroachment by outfield players will be penalised only if it has an impact.

Law 12 - Amended text:

(…)

Cautions for unsporting behaviour

There are different circumstances when a player must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour including if a player:

· (…)

· handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack, except where the referee awards a penalty kick for a non-deliberate handball offence

· denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick for a non-deliberate handball offence

· (…)

Sending-off offences

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 committing a deliberate handball offence (except a goalkeeper within their penalty area)

· denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a non-deliberate handball offence outside their own penalty area

· (…)

Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO)

(…)

Where a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a deliberate handball offence, the player is sent off wherever the offence occurs (except a goalkeeper within their penalty area).

Where a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing a non-deliberate handball offence and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned.

Explanation:

Non-deliberate handball offences are usually the result of a player attempting to play fairly, so when a penalty kick is awarded for such offences, the same philosophy should apply as for offences (fouls) which are an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball, i.e. DOGSO offences result in a yellow card and SPA offences result in no card. Deliberate handball remains a red-card offence when a penalty kick is awarded, as it is similar to holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.

Law 14 - Additional text:

(…)

If, before the ball is in play, one of the following occurs:

· a team-mate of the player taking the penalty kick is penalised for encroachment only if:

o the encroachment clearly impacted on the goalkeeper; or

o the encroaching player plays the ball or challenges an opponent for the ball and then scores, attempts to score or creates a goal-scoring opportunity

· a team-mate of the goalkeeper is penalised for encroachment only if:

o the encroachment clearly impacted on the kicker; or

o the encroaching player plays the ball or challenges an opponent for the ball and this prevents the opponents from scoring, attempting to score or creating a goal-scoring opportunity

· (…)

Explanation:

Player encroachment can be difficult to detect and manage, especially at the lower levels of the game, where there may be no neutral assistant referees. However, it can easily be identified by the video assistant referee, and if Law 14 were to be applied strictly, most penalty kicks would be retaken. Since encroachment rarely affects the outcome of the kick (only if the ball rebounds into play), the same principle should apply to player encroachment as to goalkeeper encroachment, i.e. it is penalised only if it has an impact.

Source: IFAB

IFAB approves permanent concussion substitutes

The IFAB approved several changes to and clarifications of the Laws of the Game relating to players in relation to permanent concussion substitutes, player equipment, fouls and misconduct, and penalty kicks during its 138th Annual General Meeting (AGM), hosted by the Scottish Football Association at Loch Lomond, Scotland.

Changes and clarifications for the Laws of the Game 2024/25

The next edition of the Laws of the Game, which will come into effect on 1 July 2024, will feature the following changes and clarifications:

- Law 3 (The Players): Additional permanent concussion substitutions to be a competition option in accordance with the necessary protocol.

- Law 3 (The Players) and Law 4 (The Players’ Equipment): Each team must have a team captain who wears an identifying armband.

- Law 4 (The Players’ Equipment): Players are responsible for the size and suitability of their shinguards, which remain a compulsory part of their equipment.

- Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct): Handball offences that are not deliberate, and for which penalties are awarded, are to be treated in the same way as other fouls.

- Law 14 (The Penalty Kick): Part of the ball must touch or overhang the centre of the penalty mark, and encroachment by outfield players will be penalised only if it has an impact.

Although the changes will take effect from 1 July 2024, competitions starting before that date may implement them earlier or delay their implementation until no later than the start of the subsequent competition.

Trials confirmed

1. Detailed protocols for three trials in domestic competitions below the top two tiers aimed at improving participant behaviour were approved, namely:

- Only a team’s captain being able to approach the referee in certain situations.

- The introduction of cooling-off periods to allow the referee to require teams to go to their own penalty area.

- Increasing the time limit for the goalkeepers holding the ball to eight seconds, otherwise possession will revert to the opposing team.

2. The current guidelines to temporary dismissals in youth and grassroots football were improved. Any potential wider application will only be considered once the impact of these changes have been reviewed.

3. The IFAB decided to extend FIFA’s trial where the referee publicly announces the final decisions and the reasoning after a video assistant referee (VAR) review or lengthy VAR check to other competitions. Participating competitions will require permission from The IFAB and will have to commit to FIFA’s refereeing and technology guidelines.

Other topics

FIFA confirmed that it would launch a global campaign to raise awareness of how to recognise the symptoms of concussion and treat it appropriately, while The IFAB also requested relevant medical data analyses to be provided to the subsequent AGM in line with the amendment to Law 3 regarding this topic. In addition, members received an update on The FA’s trials with body cameras at grassroots level and with a ban on “deliberate heading” at U-12 level and below. The IFAB also received an update on the offside trial which has been undertaken at U-18 level in Italy and agreed to further trials.

Source: IFAB

IFAB to trial sin-bins and blue cards

Football's lawmakers IFAB are to trial sin-binning players and issuing blue cards. Sin-bins have been used at grassroots level for dissent, but their use could be extended to cynical fouls as part of a trial. A player would spend 10 minutes in the technical area after being given a blue card by a referee. It is not yet clear when the trial will start and which competitions it will involve.

IFAB (International Football Association Board) is scheduled to hold its annual meeting at Loch Lomond in Scotland on 2 March and sin-bin trials are listed as a topic for discussion in the agenda. Sin-bins were piloted in 2018-19, with the Football Association reporting a 38% total reduction in dissent across 31 leagues. They were introduced across all levels of grassroots football from the 2019-20 season in an attempt to improve levels of respect and fair play. The rule change was then implemented up to step five of the National League system and tier three and below in women's football. "I think [there is] frustration for fans watching games when they see a promising counter-attack that's ruined by that [a tactical foul]," FA chief executive Mark Bullingham previously said. "The question of whether a yellow card is sufficient for that has led to us looking at whether that should be involved in the protocol as well. The starting point was looking at player behaviour and dissent - we're then looking at whether we should extend it into other areas, such as tactical fouls, as well." (Source: BBC)

FIFA wishes to clarify that reports of the so-called 'blue card' at elite levels of football are incorrect and premature. Any such trials, if implemented, should be limited to testing in a responsible manner at lower levels, a position that FIFA intends to reiterate when this agenda item is discussed at the IFAB AGM on 1 March 2024. (Source: FIFA)

IFAB: Deliberate play guidelines

Law 11 clarifies the difference between ‘deliberate play’ and ‘deflection’ based on the expectation that a player in a clear offside position should not become onside on all occasions when an opponent moves and touches the ball, as outlined in The IFAB’s circular 26 (July 2022). If the pass, attempt to gain possession or clearance by the player in control of the ball is inaccurate or unsuccessful, this does not negate the fact that the player ‘deliberately played’ the ball. How to determine if a player ‘deliberately played’ the ball?

• ball came from distance,
• player had a clear view,
• ball not moving quickly,
• ball direction not unexpected,
• player had time to coordinate their movement,
• ball on the ground is easier to play than in the air.

‘Deliberate play’ (excluding deliberate handball) is when a player has control of the ball with the possibility of passing the ball to a team-mate, gaining possession of the ball, or clearing the ball (e.g., by kicking or heading it). Video examples: http://bit.ly/Changes23_24

Source: IFAB

IFAB releases Football Rules guide

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has issued a new document that simplifies the Laws of the Game.

Designed to make the Laws easier to understand, Football Rules uses more straightforward language and a simpler structure than the official Laws of the Game book. The new document is the perfect accompaniment for young people, potential or newly qualified referees, adults who referee occasionally, players, coaches (including those working towards a coaching qualification), fans and the media. There are two versions of Football Rules, organising Laws alphabetically and by category, and downloadable versions can be found on the link below.

Source: UEFA

UEFA urges clarity on handball rules

The UEFA Football Board held its inaugural meeting at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, reflecting on various topics, including the Laws of the Game and refereeing matters such as the line of intervention, VAR, the handball rule and player behaviour. In an engaging and constructive discussion, the Board expressed great satisfaction with the current level of refereeing in the European club competitions, especially in the UEFA Champions League, and suggested that the same unified approach to refereeing should be applied in domestic competitions across Europe.

With regard to the Laws of the Game, which stipulate that not every touch of a player's hand/arm with the ball is an offence, the Board issued the following recommendations for next season for better compliance of the Laws with the nature of the game:

• In their guidelines for the next season, the Board recommends that UEFA should clarify that no handball offence should be called on a player if the ball is previously deflected from his own body and, in particular, when the ball does not go towards the goal.

• On the same notice, the Board recommends that not every handball should automatically lead to a caution after every shot at goal, as anticipated by current guidelines.

• The Board encourages the referees to be more decisive in cautioning players who display unsporting behaviour, especially when attempting to deceive the referee by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled.

• UEFA should launch an initiative towards the IFAB for the amendment of Law 12, which foresees that a player should be sent off for denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball offence. The Board feels players should be sent off only if they deliberately and intentionally touch the ball with their hand/arm. In case of other handball offences, the players should only be cautioned.

The inaugural meeting was attended by Eric Abidal, Rafael Benítez, Fabio Capello, Petr Čech, Luís Figo, Robbie Keane, Jürgen Klinsmann, Ronald Koeman, Philipp Lahm, Michael Laudrup, Paolo Maldini, Roberto Martínez, Predrag Mijatović, Gareth Southgate, Patrick Vieira, Rudi Völler, Javier Zanetti and Zinedine Zidane. Other Board members, who could not attend the meeting, were also consulted and shared their opinions on these topics as part of this project.

Source: UEFA

Laws of the Game Changes 2023/24

Law 3 – The Players

• Clarification that the referee should take action against an extra person on the field of play when a goal is scored only if the person affected the play, e.g., the Law does not expect the referee to penalise encroachment onto the field of play if it does not impact the play

Law 6 – The Other Match Officials

• Reserve assistant referee (RAR) is now permitted to assist the referee in the same way as the other ‘on-field’ match officials

Law 7 – The Duration of the Match

• Goal celebrations will be listed separately to emphasise that theyoften result in a significant amount of time being lost, for which the referee makes allowance.

Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match

• The term ‘kicks from the penalty mark’ is outdated and will be replaced by ‘penalties (penalty shoot-out)’

• Clarification that warnings and cautions for team officials, as well as for players, are not carried forward into penalties (penalty shoot-out)

Law 11 – Offside

• The additional wording clarifies the guidelines for distinguishing between ‘deliberate play’ and ‘deflection’ based on the expectation that a player who is clearly in an offside position should not become onside on all occasions when an opponent moves and touches the ball, as outlined in circular 26 (July 2022)

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct

• It is not always clear whether an action was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball (or both). The same principle should apply for challenging for the ball as attempting to play the ball. Clarification that if the referee awards a penalty kick for an offence which involved a defending team player challenging an opponent for the ball (excluding holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.), the same sanction should be issued to the player as for an attempt to play the ball, i.e., if the offence stops or interferes with a promising attack – no caution (no yellow card); DOGSO offence – caution (yellow card)

• Clarification that the senior team official can be sanctioned only for an offence committed by an ‘unidentified offender’ who is in/from the technical area, i.e., this does not apply to an offence committed by an ‘unidentified player’

Law 14 – The Penalty Kick

• Clarification that the goalkeeper must not behave in a manner that fails to show respect for the game and the opponent, i.e., by unfairly distracting the kicker

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol

• Amended wording reflects the VAR ‘light’ system, which does not involve a replay operator.

Source: IFAB