Laws 10 – 17

Introduction

Welcome to FIFA.com’s dedicated section on the Laws of the Game. Here you can read the latest updated version of the Laws which were last modified at the 127th Annual General Meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Scotland (Edinburgh) on 2 March 2013. These came into force on 1 June 2013.

NOTES ON THE LAWS OF THE GAME

Modifications

Subject to the agreement of the member association concerned and provided the principles of these Laws are maintained, the Laws may be modified in their application for matches for players of under 16 years of age, for women footballers, for veteran footballers (over 35 years of age) and for players with disabilities.

Any or all of the following modifications are permissible

• size of the field of play

• size, weight and material of the ball

• width between the goalposts and height of the crossbar from the ground

• duration of the periods of play

• substitutions

Further modifications are only allowed with the consent of the Football Association Board.

Male and Female

References to the male gender in the Laws of the Game in respect of referees,

assistant referees, players and officials are for simplification and apply to both men and women.