Significant Edits to the 2008/2009 LOTG

[PVancouver]

Significant Edits to the 2008/2009 LOTG

Color Key:
Unchanged Text
Deleted Text
Added Text
Comment



Edit #1 NOTES ON THE LAWS OF THE GAME:

Key

Throughout the Laws of the Game the following symbols are used:
* Unless covered by the Special Circumstances listed in Law 8 – The
Start and Restart of Play

Single A single line in the left-hand margin indicates new Law changes



Edit #2 Law 1:

A mark Marks may be made off the field of play, 9.15 metres (10 yds) from the
corner arc and at right angles to the goal lines and the touch lines, to
ensure that defending players retreat this distance is observed when a corner kick
is being taken.



Edit #3 Law 2:

Decision 1
In competition matches, only footballs which meet the minimum technical
requirements stipulated in Law 2 are permitted for use.
In FIFA competition matches, and in competition matches organised
under the auspices of the confederations,
In addition to the requirements of Law 2,
acceptance of a football for use in matches played in an official
competition organised under the auspices of FIFA or the confederations
is conditional upon the football bearing one of the following three
designations:
• the official “FIFA APPROVED” logo, or
• the official “FIFA INSPECTED” logo, or
• the reference “INTERNATIONAL MATCHBALL STANDARD”

Such a designation logo on a football indicates that it has been tested
officially and found to be in compliance with specific technical requirements,
different for each category logo and additional to the minimum
specifications stipulated in Law 2. The list of the additional requirements
specific to each of the respective categories logos must be approved
by the International F.A. Board. The institutes conducting the tests are
subject to the approval of FIFA.

Member association competitions may require the use of balls bearing
any one of these three designations logos.

In all other matches, the ball used must satisfy the requirements of
Law 2.



Edit #4 Law 3:

Infringements/Sanctions
If a substitute or substitituted player enters the field of play without the
referee’s permission:
• play is stopped the referee stops play (although not immediately if the
substitute or substituted player does not interfere with play)
• the substitute is cautioned, shown the yellow card and required to
leave the field of play
• the referee cautions him for unsporting behaviour and orders him
to leave the field of play



Edit #5 Law 3:

Decision 2
A team official may convey tactical instructions to the players during
the match and he must return to his position after giving these
instructions. All officials must remain within the confines of the technical
area, where such an area is provided, and they must behave in a
responsible manner.

Comment: This is significant because it implied that only team officials could
convey tactical instructions, now it is clear than any person in the
technical area may do so, one at a time.



Edit #6 Law 3 (Interpretation):

Minimum number of players

If the rules of a competition state that all of the players and substitutes
must be named before kick-off and a team begins a match with fewer
than 11 players, only the players named in the starting line-up may
complete the 11 upon their arrival.

In the opinion of the International F.A. Board a match shall not be
considered valid and shall be abandoned by the referee if fewer than
seven players remain on either team.

Although a match may not START if either team consists of fewer than
seven players, the minimum number of players in a team required for
a match to CONTINUE is left to the discretion of member associations.
However, it is the opinion of the International F.A. Board that a match
should not continue if there are fewer than seven players in either
team.

However, if a team has fewer than seven players because one or more
players has deliberately left the field of play, the referee is not obliged
to stop the match and the advantage may be played. In such cases,
the referee should not allow the match to resume after the ball has
gone out of play if a team does not have the minimum number of
7 seven players.

Comment: Unfortunately, referees are still not permitted to allow a
match to resume if a team has a fewer than seven players, even if a
member association allows fewer.



Edit #7 Law 4:

Basic equipment
Colours:
• All players including goalkeepers must wear a jersey with colours
that distinguish them from the referee and the assistant referees

Colours
• The two teams must wear colours that distinguish them from each
other and also the referee and the assistant referees
• Each goalkeeper must wear colours that distinguish him from the
other players, the referee and the assistant referees



Edit #8 Law 4 (Interpretation):

Basic equipment

...

Goalkeepers may wear track suit bottoms as past as his
tracksuit bottoms as part as their basic equipment.

Comment: Not significant but does not completely fix the prior typo.
Should be “tracksuit bottoms as part as of their basic equipment”.



Edit #9 Law 6:

Duties
Two assistant referees are appointed whose duties, subject to the
decision of the referee, are to indicate:
...
• when offences have been committed whenever the assistants are
closer to the action have a better view than the referee (this includes,
in particular circumstances, offences committed in the penalty area)
• whether, at penalty kicks, the goalkeeper has moved forward
moves off the goal line before the ball has been kicked and if the ball
has crossed the line



Edit #10 Law 6 (Interpretation):

Before signalling for an offence, the assistant referee shall must
determine that:
• the offence occurred closer to the assistant referee than to the referee
(this applies, in certain circumstances, to offences committed
in the penalty area)
• the offence was out of the view of the referee or the referee’s view
was obstructed
• the referee would not have applied advantage if he had seen the
offence



Edit #11 Law 6 (Interpretation):

Flag technique and team work
Whenever the assistant referee signals for violent conduct and the signal
is not seen immediately:
• if play has been stopped for disciplinary action to be taken, the restart
must be in accordance with the Laws (free kick, penalty kick etc.)
• if play has already restarted, only the referee may still take disciplinary
action may be taken but not penalise the offence with a free kick of penalty
kick

Comment: This edit is not significant but a typo has been introduced:
"if play has already restarted, the referee may still take disciplinary
action but may not penalise the offence with a free kick of or penalty
kick".



Edit #12 Law 12:

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits
any of the following six seven offences in a manner considered by the
referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
...
• tackles an opponent

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player
commits any of the following four three offences:
• tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact
with the opponent before touching the ball
...



Edit #13 Law 12 (Interpretation):

Playing in a dangerous manner
Playing in a dangerous manner is defined as any action that, while trying
to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player
himself). It is committed with an opponent nearby and prevents the
opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury. The action becomes
an offence only when an opponent is adversely affected.



Edit #14 Law 12 (Interpretation):

Decision 5
Any simulating action anywhere on the field, which is intended to
deceive the referee, must be sanctioned as unsporting behaviour.

Cautions for unsporting behaviour
...
attempts to deceive the referee by feigning injury or pretending to
have been fouled (simulation)

Comment: This is significant because it appears to rule out embellishment—
excluding the faking of injury--if the contact is a foul.



Edit #15 Law 15:

A throw-in is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched
the ball:
• when the whole of the ball passes over the touch line, either on
the ground or in the air
• from the point where it crossed the touch line
• to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball.

Procedure
...
• delivers the ball from the point where it left the field of play

Comment: This is significant because it moves the location of the throw-in
to the Procedure section, a violation of which is a throw-in to the
opposing team.

[code1390]

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits
any of the following six seven offences in a manner considered by the
referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
...
• tackles an opponent

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player
commits any of the following four three offences:
• tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact
with the opponent before touching the ball
...


That is a big change IMO. It might actually help get rid of the "if you get a piece of the ball, the ref can't call a foul" myth.

[Wreave]

[b]
[size=+1]Edit #12 Law 12:

A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits
any of the following six seven offences in a manner considered by the
referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force:
...
• tackles an opponent

A direct free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player
commits any of the following four three offences:
• tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact
with the opponent before touching the ball
...

Edit #13 Law 12 (Interpretation):

Playing in a dangerous manner
Playing in a dangerous manner is defined as any action that, while trying
to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player
himself). It is committed with an opponent nearby and prevents the
opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury. The action becomes
an offence only when an opponent is adversely affected.



These are both significant.

On the tackling one, it appears to make it harder to judge a fair tackle. Previously, any tackle which contacted the opponent before the ball was a foul tackle. Now, a tackle which contacts the opponent before the ball may still be fair, if it is not careless, reckless, or with excessive force. Why?

I like the change to PIADM - the requirement for adverse affect basically punished a player who didn't shy away from an opponent's boot in his face, by not having it be a foul. Now, it appears we can sanction a player who creates a dangerous situation, even if his opponents choose to play through rather than pull away from the danger.

[code1390]

BTW, here is the link for the new version.

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/federation/lotg_en_55753.pdf

Also, I thought they changed Law 1 to specify the dimensions of the field? Something like 105 m x 68 m (which is the center of 90 to 120 and 45 to 90).

[MassachusettsRef]

First, where are the cites for these? The 08/09 Laws would have been amended at the 2008 IFAB meeting so there should be no surprises. That being said...


On the tackling one, it appears to make it harder to judge a fair tackle. Previously, any tackle which contacted the opponent before the ball was a foul tackle. Now, a tackle which contacts the opponent before the ball may still be fair, if it is not careless, reckless, or with excessive force. Why?If this change is real, I think it's perfectly legitimate.

To start, how often do we see tackles that we know are "bad," but get the ball first? We justify the fouls, regardless, but if we were asked to cite which penal foul in the Laws, we'd have to fudge it. Maybe "tripping" or "kicking." Saying that just any "careless" tackle is a foul is much, much easier. Don't read too far into it, though: as with past law simplifications like this, I believe we're going to see it's implied that any tackle which contacts the opponent first is still considered a careless foul.

[refmike]

The change in the dimensions of the field for FIFA sanctioned games has been postponed, according to the 2008 memo from USSF.

[tdh777]

First, where are the cites for these? The 08/09 Laws would have been amended at the 2008 IFAB meeting so there should be no surprises.

Personally I think FIFA screwed up on these changes in two ways.

1) By not being consistent with the "line in the left hand margin to highlight changes" technique. They decided that the FIFA Logo on ball wording changes was significant, but not the changes to Law #12 and #15. Anyone else think perhaps they have an unhealthy sense of self-importance there at FIFA ?? :D

2) In both the agenda before, and the memo distributed to the member FAs after, the IFAB meeting in Feb/March 2008 these changes (other than the ball) were relegated to being grouped under other "minor rewrites" (or similar terminology) and the detail was only published in the 2008-09 LOTG.

Many thanks to the OP for this thread - once I discovered that the "line in the LH Margin" had not been used consistently in the new LOTG I was despairing at the the thought of having to read the new LOTG side-by-side with the old and check for any wording changes !! Thanks PVancouver ! :)

[tdh777]

Oh. and PS. Another quickie re the change to Law #15. Check this out from the changes made in 1987 :

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.

So effectively this recent change is a reversion to the 1987 changes. I'd have to do some further research to find out when the 1987 change effectively got LOST from the LOTG, but I suspect it was the 1996 rewrite...

Cheers
Warren (tdh777)

Comment: This is significant because it moves the location of the throw-in to the Procedure section, a violation of which is a throw-in to the opposing team.

[Gary V]

Did you miss that several Decisions are completely gone? E.g. Law 11 Decision 2. These are now documented in the new "Interpretation of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees", which replaces the Additional Instructions and Guidance section.

Everyone must read the preface from page 3:
In the twelve years since its last major revision of the Laws of the Game,
the International Football Association Board has made a signifi cant
number of additions and amendments to the Laws themselves, and
various accompanying publications and teaching materials have been
produced and distributed by football‘s governing bodies in order to
assist match offi cials in their duties and to clarify concepts for the
football community as a whole.
While this year’s edition of the Laws of the Game features only
one amendment to the 2007/2008 edition in terms of substance,
the overall wording and structure has been reviewed and revised to
consolidate and reorganise the content for the sake of consistency,
simplifi cation and clarifi cation. Among the most notable changes
in this respect, some of the Decisions of the International Football
Association Board from last year’s edition of the Laws of the Game
are now either incorporated in the Law to which they were previously
appended or appear in the section now entitled “Interpretation of
the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees”. With this new
title, the International Football Association Board wishes to underline
that, while the content of this section is intended to complement the
Laws of the Game themselves, its application is indeed a compulsory
requirement.
In addition, certain principles that were previously implicitly understood
throughout the game but did not explicitly feature in the Laws of the
Game have been included in this new edition for completeness.
Finally, the International Football Association Board reminds the
associations and confederations that it is their duty, under the FIFA
Statutes, to ensure the Laws of the Game are implemented strictly
and consistently at all levels of competition. (emphasis mine)

[PVancouver]

Did you miss that several Decisions are completely gone? E.g. Law 11 Decision 2. These are now documented in the new "Interpretation of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees", which replaces the Additional Instructions and Guidance section.

If a former Decision is now either in the Laws or in the Interpretation, I would not consider the change to be significant.

[law5guy]

Colours
• The two teams must wear colours that distinguish them from each
other and also the referee and the assistant referees
• Each goalkeeper must wear colours that distinguish him from the
other players, the referee and the assistant referees


So... why do I need 5 different referee shirts?

Here in th US, the law must have been re-written as:

"the referee and the assistant referees must wear colours that distinguish them from two teams and each goalkeeper" :D

[campbed]

"the referee and the assistant referees must wear colours that distinguish them from two teams and each goalkeeper" :D
EDIT:
"the referee and the assistant referees must wear colours that distinguish them from two teams and each goalkeeper, but not the pitch, go ahead and hide yourself by wearing the green jersey." :D

[PVancouver]

Edit #16 Law 5 (and Guidelines):

Powers and Duties
...
• stops, suspends or terminates abandons the match, at his discretion,
for any infringements of the Laws
• stops, suspends or terminates abandons the match because of outside
interference of any kind
...

Decisions of the Referee

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are
final.

The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect
or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that
he has not restarted play or terminated the match.

REFEREE SIGNALS (Law 5 Interpretation and Guidelines...)

Use of whistle

The whistle is needed to:
• start play (1st, 2nd half), after a goal
• stop play
– for a free kick or penalty kick
– if match is suspended or terminated abandoned
– when a period of play has ended due to the expiration of time

Comment: This is significant because the USSF Advice to Referees
claims that there is a subtle difference between an abandoned match
and a (prematurely) terminated one (5.12), but this can no no longer be.
Unfortunately, the Laws of the Game failed to completely remove
“terminated” from Law 5. It should read:

The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect
or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that
he has not restarted play or terminated abandoned the match, and time
has not expired.