Law 5: The Referee

The referee's power to take disciplinary action runs from entering the field of play for the pre-match inspection until leaving the field after the match ends.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

The referee's authority continues through kicks from the penalty mark, which count as part of the match, and ends only when the referee leaves the field of play afterwards.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

Disciplinary authority is continuous from the pre-match inspection to the end of the match, so it covers the half-time interval and a substitute can be cautioned then.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

A sending-off offence committed before entering the field for the start lets the referee stop the player starting, and one of the named substitutes takes their place.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

The referee controls the match in cooperation with the other match officials; captains and competition personnel have no share in that on-field authority.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

As record-keeper the referee provides a match report covering disciplinary action and any other incidents occurring before, during or after the match.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

Supervising and indicating the restart of play is the referee's duty; the other officials assist but do not give the restart signal.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

A decision may be changed on realising it is incorrect or on an official's advice, but only if play has not restarted and the referee has not ended a half and left the field.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

If the referee becomes incapacitated, play may continue under the supervision of the other match officials until the ball is next out of play.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

Control of the match rests with the referee, whose power to apply the Laws is complete and is not shared with club officers, delegates or captains.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

The referee takes action on the advice of other match officials regarding incidents that the referee has not seen, with no restriction to a particular sanction.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

Provided play has not restarted, the referee may change a decision on the advice of another match official, so a goal built on a missed offside can be disallowed.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

The referee may take disciplinary action against team officials, showing a yellow or red card for irresponsible conduct such as throwing an object onto the field.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

Where the offending team official cannot be identified, the senior coach present in the technical area receives the sanction.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

A team official expelled for irresponsible behaviour must leave the field of play and its immediate surrounds, which includes the technical area.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

Outside interference on the field means the referee stops play; if the extra ball, person or animal interfered with play, the restart is a dropped ball.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

The referee has the power to stop, suspend or abandon the match for any offences or because of outside interference of any kind.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

Deciding to suspend and then to resume a match is part of the referee's authority to control it; the decision is not delegated to the clubs or the ground staff.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

Unsafe conditions such as a floodlight failure are grounds to abandon; a one-sided score or a normal sending-off is not.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

The referee authorises medical and other personnel to enter the field; they may only come on when the referee signals them on.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

The referee allows play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from the advantage of doing so.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

If the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time or within a few seconds, the referee penalises the original offence.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

When advantage is played on a cautionable offence, the caution is still issued but is delayed until the next stoppage in play.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

If advantage is played on a sending-off offence and the offender then plays the ball or challenges an opponent, the referee stops play and sends the player off.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

When more than one offence occurs at the same time, the referee punishes the more serious one, judged by sanction, restart, physical severity and tactical impact.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

Where one act carries a caution and another a sending-off, the more serious sanction applies and the player is sent off.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

Advantage can be applied anywhere on the field; if the promising attack does not come off within a few seconds, the referee returns and penalises the foul.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

A disciplinary sanction after play has restarted is only possible if another match official identified and communicated the offence before the restart.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

Advantage is signalled by extending both arms forward and, usually, calling 'play on'; a raised arm is the signal for an indirect free kick.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

The referee weighs the severity of the offence: for one that warrants a sending-off, play should be stopped unless there is an immediate chance to score.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

For a slight injury the referee allows play to continue until the ball is out of play.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

For a serious injury the referee stops play and ensures the injured player is removed from the field of play for treatment.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

An injured player may not be treated on the field and may only re-enter after play has restarted.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

A collision between a goalkeeper and an outfield player who both need attention is one of the listed exceptions to leaving the field.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

Where the injury results from a foul for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off, the player may stay and be treated quickly on the field.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

An injury to the goalkeeper is an express exception, so the goalkeeper does not have to leave the field for treatment.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

Any card is shown before the injured player leaves the field for treatment, so the sanction is recorded against the right player at the right moment.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

A player who is bleeding must leave the field and may only return once the bleeding has stopped and after a check.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

When play is stopped for injury and no offence has been committed, it is restarted with a dropped ball where the ball was when play stopped.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

A suspected concussion is treated as a severe injury: the referee stops play immediately, and such a case is among the exceptions that allow treatment without leaving the field.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

The compulsory equipment is a whistle, a watch, red and yellow cards, and a notebook or other means of keeping a match record.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

Communication systems, tracking equipment and body cameras are permitted where competition rules allow, but only the whistle, watch, cards and record are compulsory.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

Match officials, like players, may not wear jewellery; only the permitted equipment and a timing watch are allowed.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

The Law states that decisions regarding facts connected with play, including whether a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

The referee may change a decision only on realising it is incorrect or on the advice of another match official, and only before play restarts.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

Once play has restarted the referee may not change the previous decision, even on realising it was wrong.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

Video assistance is limited to goal / no goal, penalty / no penalty, direct red card (not a second caution), and mistaken identity, with an optional corner-kick category.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

The video assistant referee only intervenes for a clear and obvious error or a serious missed incident, not for marginal calls.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

The referee always makes the final decision, whether based on information from the video assistant or on an on-field review of the footage.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · recall

Once play has restarted, only mistaken identity or a potential sending-off offence such as violent conduct may still be reviewed.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 5 · applied

Coming back while play is live means using the touchline; a treated player waits until play has restarted before returning.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

A severe injury is one of the listed exceptions, like an injured goalkeeper or team-mates who collide, where the player need not leave the field.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

When two players of the same side run into each other and need attention, they do not have to go off first.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

An injured player who will take an awarded penalty kick is an exception and need not leave the field.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

Once the referee has authorised doctors and/or stretcher bearers to enter, the player must leave on a stretcher or on foot.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

A player who does not comply with leaving on a stretcher or on foot must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

A bleeding player leaves the field and may only re-enter on the referee's signal once the bleeding has stopped and there is no blood on the equipment.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

Bleeding players go off, and come back only when the referee is satisfied the bleeding has stopped and there is no blood on their equipment.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

An injury with no offence behind it gives no free kick to anyone, so the game resumes with the ball dropped.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

With the ball in play a treated player comes back from the touchline (C); the goal lines (A, D) are open to returning players only while the ball is out of play.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

The referee stops, suspends or abandons the match because of outside interference such as inadequate floodlights.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

If a thrown object hits a match official, player or team official, the referee may continue, stop, suspend or abandon depending on the severity.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

Outside interference includes inadequate floodlights, objects thrown by spectators, a spectator's whistle, and extra balls, objects or animals on the field.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

If an extra ball, object or animal does not interfere, play continues and it is removed at the earliest possible opportunity.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

Unless the interference was by the attacking team, a ball going in counts when the interference does not prevent a defender playing it.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

The referee allows no unauthorised persons to enter the field of play.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

Continuing, suspending or calling the game off after trouble is a call for the match's own referee, no one outside it.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

Interference by a spectator's whistle is dealt with by stopping play and restarting with a dropped ball.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

The referee's response to a thrown object depends on the severity of the incident.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

An extra ball that interferes with play stops the game, which restarts with a dropped ball; one that does not interfere is simply removed when possible.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

For a direct free kick the referee points in the direction the kick is to be taken.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

The approved penalty kick signal is to point to the penalty mark.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

For a corner kick the referee points to the corner arc.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

For a goal kick the referee points to the goal area.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

The 'TV signal' announces a review on the monitor; a check is shown with a finger to the ear and the other arm extended.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

Finger to the ear with the other hand or arm extended is the 'check' signal while the VAR looks at an incident.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

The referee counts down the last five seconds of the eight-second restriction on goalkeepers controlling the ball with their hands or arms.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

Up goes the arm with the award, and down it comes only after the kick, when a second player plays the ball or it leaves the field.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

The 'check' signal comes first; the 'TV signal' announces a review, which the referee watches before deciding.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

An arm raised straight above the head signals an indirect free kick; a direct free kick is shown by pointing the way of the kick.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

Decisions are made to the best of the referee's ability according to the Laws of the Game and the spirit of the game.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

Leaving the field to go to the RRA at the end of a half does not prevent a decision being changed for an incident before the end of the half.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

The referee may show yellow and red cards and, where competition rules permit, temporarily dismiss a player.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

Except for a serious missed incident, the referee must always make a decision, including one not to penalise; it changes only for a clear and obvious error.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

A medical team official who commits a sending-off offence may remain if the team has no other medical person available, and act if a player needs attention.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

VARs are only permitted where the organiser has met all IAAP requirements and received written permission from FIFA.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · recall

Match officials are not held liable for injuries, damage or loss arising from decisions under the Laws, including on the condition of the field.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

Going to the RRA at the end of a half does not stop the referee changing a decision about an incident that happened before the half ended.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

VAR use depends on fulfilling FIFA's IAAP requirements and written permission; in matches it only assists with clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied

The referee may show yellow or red cards from entering the field at the start until after the match, including the half-time interval, extra time and penalties.

Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 5 · applied