Laws of the Game changes for 2023-2024

Laws of the Game changes for 2023-2024 were published this week. Below the outline of the summary.

You can also download the full pdf with changes.

Law 3 – The Players

Clarification relating to extra person(s) on the field of play when a goal is
scored

Law 6 – The Other Match Officials

Reserve assistant referee (RAR) 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’ to become a separate bullet point in the list of causes of
time lost for which the referee makes allowance

Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match

• The term ‘kicks from the penalty mark’ to 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

Clarification of guidelines to distinguish between ‘deliberate play’ and ‘deflection’, as outlined in circular 26 (July 2022)

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct

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).

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct

Clarification that the senior team coach present in the technical area cannot
be sanctioned for 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

Confirmation that the VAR ‘light’ system does not involve a replay operator
(RO