Laws of the Game changes 2018-2019

The Laws of the Game changes 2018-2019 are published by IFAB. Below you’ll find an outline of the main changes. In the documents you can read the full texts in different languages.

No big changes for me. New terms, like video operation room (VOR) and Referee Review Area (RRA). Referees can now also caution players if they are “excessively using the ‘review’ (TV screen) signal”.

It is also specified bodycams can not be worn: “Referees and other ‘on-field’ match officials are prohibited from wearing jewellery or any other electronic equipment, including cameras.”

If you apply advantage at DOGSO offences you’ll have to show the player a yellow at all time. According to previous rules a yellow was show if the advantage results in a goal (which meant: otherwise a red card). This seems fairer.

Check out the outline of the changes below. Or download the changes directly.

• English – Laws of the Game changes 2018/19 (601.19 KB)
• German Laws of the Game changes 2018/19 (609.26 KB)
• Spanish – Laws of the Game changes 2018/19 (601.44 KB)
• French – Laws of the Game changes 2018/19 (610.78 KB)

Modifications

• There is no limit on the number of substitutes that can be used in youth football
• Permission is needed from The IFAB for any modifications not already permitted
• Temporary dismissals – System B: a player who receives two temporary dismissals and a non-temporary dismissal caution (YC) may not be substituted/replaced

Law 1

• Clarification of measurements on the field of play
• Reference to substituted players being permitted to be in the technical area
• Commercial advertising is not permitted on the ground in the Referee Review Area (RRA)
• Reference to the Video Operation Room (VOR) and Referee Review Area (RRA)

Law 3

• Competition rules may permit the use of an additional substitute in extra time (even if not
  all permitted substitutes have been used)
• A maximum of 12 substitutes can be named for international ‘A’ friendly matches

Law 4

• Small, hand-held electronic or communication devices are permitted in the technical area
  if used for coaching/ tactics or player welfare
• Introduction of a FIFA quality mark for EPTS, and data from EPTS may be received in the
  technical area during the match
• Detailed guidelines for what can and cannot appear on players’ equipment
• Player who has left the field because of an equipment issue and returns without
  permission and interferes is penalised with a direct free kick (or penalty kick)

Law 5

• Reference to video assistant referees (VARs) and assistant VARs (AVARs) and the ability of a referee to use video replays for decision making as part of VAR system
• Some sending-off offences can be reviewed even if play has restarted
• Distinction between ‘on-field’ match officials and ‘video’ match officials
• Match officials are not permitted to wear cameras
• Inclusion of the referee ‘check’ and ‘review’ signals used in the VAR process

Law 6

• Duties of the video assistant referee (VAR) and assistant VAR (AVAR)

Law 7

• Drinks breaks should not exceed one minute
• Allowance must be made for time ‘lost’ for drinks breaks and VAR checks/ reviews

Law 10

• Kicks from the penalty mark – a replacement for a goalkeeper cannot take a kick in that
  ‘round’ if the goalkeeper has already taken a kick

Law 11

• The first point of contact when the ball is played/touched is the moment when offside position is judged

Law 12

• Biting is included as a direct free kick and sending-off offence
• Throwing an object at the ball or hitting the ball with a held object are separate direct free kick offences (not a form of handball)
• If the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper this does not prevent the goalkeeper handling
  the ball a second time even if the first attempt to catch/holds the ball was deliberate
• If the referee plays advantage for a DOGSO the offender is cautioned (YC) whether or not a
  goal is scored
• Entering the RRA or excessively showing the TV signal are cautions (YCs)
• Where 2 separate cautionable (YC) offences are committed in close proximity, both cautions (YCs) must be issued; same principle if one is a sending off offence
• Entering the VOR is a sending-off (RC) offence
• If a player commits an offence outside the field of play (ball in play) against someone from their own team (including a team official) it is an indirect free kick on the boundary line

Law 13

• Clarification that free kicks can also be awarded for offences by a substitute, substituted or sent off player, or a team official

Law 15

• A player must stand to take a throw-in (kneeling, sitting etc. not permitted)

Deleted text in Law 2

In addition, the following wording was deleted as it is no longer relevant in Law 2:

• Reference to previous ball quality marks: Balls carrying previous quality marks such as “FIFA Approved”, “FIFA Inspected” or “International Matchball Standard” may be used in aforementioned competitions until 31 July 2017

Downloads

• English – Laws of the Game changes 2018/19 (601.19 KB)
• German Laws of the Game changes 2018/19 (609.26 KB)
• Spanish – Laws of the Game changes 2018/19 (601.44 KB)
• French – Laws of the Game changes 2018/19 (610.78 KB)