# IFAB & Laws of the Game · Football Level 10: Professional

Football · Level 10: Professional · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/football/level-10/ifab-laws-of-the-game/)

IFAB & Laws of the Game in Football (Level 10: Professional) on Insporta: 100 sourced facts behind 10 tests. Covers: the ifab's founding and members; and more.

How the Laws are made and changed: the IFAB's founding and reform, the yearly cycle, the 2016-17 rewrite, the 2019-20 changes, Laws changed by famous incidents, concussion rules, kit and inclusion, and the trials of recent years.

## Test 1: The IFAB's founding and members

- The four British associations met at the FA's offices to agree one set of Laws. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- FIFA did not yet exist; it was founded in 1904. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- FIFA's voting weight grew later, reaching its present form in 1958. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- A Law change needs six of the eight votes, so neither side can pass one alone. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The reform also created advisory panels of former players, coaches and referees. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Elleray is the technical director; Collina and Busacca have led FIFA's refereeing. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The football panel includes former players and coaches; the technical one includes referees and experts. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- 1886, 1913, 1958 and 2014. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- 1863, 1886, 1904 and 1954. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Its offices are in Zurich, the same city as FIFA's headquarters. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)

## Test 2: How a Law is made and published

- The autumn business meeting prepares the agenda; the vote comes at the AGM. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- They appear in English, French, German and Spanish. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The Laws say that the English text is the authoritative one. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Shorter matches, return substitutions and temporary dismissals are among the allowed changes. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Trials such as sin bins or kick-ins ran only with the Board's permission and under set conditions. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The protocol is part of the Laws book, so VAR works the same way in every competition that uses it. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The explanations help referees and coaches understand what changed and why. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Proposals are discussed and prepared before the vote; approved changes apply from 1 July. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Laws 11, 12, 14 and 17. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Competitions that start before 1 July may bring changes in at the start of their next season. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)

## Test 3: The 2016-17 rewrite of the Laws

- Elleray had refereed the 1994 FA Cup final and taught at Harrow School. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Before 2016 the ball had to move forward, so a second player stood next to the kicker. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The change ended the 'triple punishment' of a penalty, a sending-off and a suspension. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Before, the injured player had to leave the field while the offender's team kept eleven. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Serious misconduct before the match, even in the warm-up, can now bring a red card. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- David Elleray's rewrite removed about 10,000 words and resolved contradictions, the most comprehensive revision in the IFAB's history. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The Laws cannot cover every situation, so the referee is asked to act in the spirit of the game. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The 2016-17 Laws removed the sending-off when the defender tried to play the ball. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Since 2016-17 a player can be sent off from the moment the referee inspects the field. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Kicking the ball backwards came later, with the 2016-17 rewrite. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)

## Test 4: The 2019-20 changes at set pieces and substitutions

- With only two defenders side by side, the attackers' distance rule does not apply. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The change allowed the keeper to step forward with one foot. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The rule was brought in to stop time-wasting late in matches. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Before 2019 the toss winner chose an end and the other team kicked off. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Attackers standing in the wall caused scuffles and delays. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The offence is by the attacking side, so the defenders restart. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Keepers were constantly stepping forward and referees rarely penalised it. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The distances apply until the ball is in play. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Laws 3, 8, 13 and 14. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The 9.15-metre distance applies to the wall itself, not to the attackers beside it. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)

## Test 5: Law changes after famous incidents

- Mbappé was offside, but Eric García's touch was judged a deliberate play that reset it. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Additional assistant referees were trialled in the Europa League that season. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The IFAB approved them for permanent use in 2012. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- A save or a stretching block is not a 'deliberate play' for offside purposes. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Contact with the shoulder above that line is not handball. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- A team-mate's accidental handball earlier in the move is no longer an offence. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- The change was applied strictly at the 1998 World Cup. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- September 2009, November 2009 and July 2012. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)
- Before 1990, being level with the second-last opponent was offside. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; IFAB history and statutes)

## Test 6: Concussion and injured players

- Once replaced for a suspected concussion, the player takes no further part. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The extra change removes any advantage from a false claim of concussion. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Teams keep their normal allowance for tactical changes. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The protocol allows each team a single concussion substitute per match, whatever the number of normal substitutions already used; the opponents may then make an additional substitution of their own. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- There are exceptions, such as goalkeepers and players injured by a foul that earns a card. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- A player who might be concussed should be taken off and not return that day. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The Premier League joined the trial a few weeks later. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The opponents' extra change is optional. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The rule stops a team gaining time or position from an injury. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The IFAB approved the trials in December 2020. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)

## Test 7: Players' equipment and inclusion

- Snoods could be pulled and caught around the neck. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Clubs could then collect running data from matches as well as training. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- FIFA runs a quality programme for these devices. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- All players in a team must wear the same colour. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- A player who shows such a slogan faces action from the competition or FIFA. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Before then, electronic communication with the bench was not allowed. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Law 4 sets the basics; sponsorship rules belong to the competition. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- 2011, 2014 and 2015. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Tape on the socks must match the part of the sock it covers. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- A trial had begun in 2012, after the ban had kept some players out of competitions. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)

## Test 8: Talking to the referee: recent trials

- Referees were asked to explain decisions to the captain, who passed them on. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The booking made the rule stick after the first few matches. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Referees announced the outcome of each review after checking the monitor. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The footage was shown in broadcasts and replays. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Trials of VAR, sin bins and concussion substitutes all ran before any Law change. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Law 3 gives the captain no special status, but competitions increasingly use him as the contact. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Headsets let the officials discuss incidents during play; the VAR joins through the same system. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Only the referee announces; the VAR does not speak to the stadium. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- 2023 for the announcements, 2024 for captains only and 2025 for the body cameras. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The rule was later adopted by leagues including the Premier League. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)

## Test 9: The referee team under Law 6

- Law 5 covers the referee; Law 6 covers the other match officials. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- In many competitions the reserve assistant also helps the fourth official. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The AVAR watches the live action while the VAR reviews an incident. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The fourth official also shows the minimum added time. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The other officials assist and advise; the decision is the referee's. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Only the referee shows cards; the assistants signal offside, throw-ins and corners. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity are the four. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Linesmen from the 1890s, AARs in 2012, VAR in 2018. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The substitute may enter only once the player has left. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Additional assistants stand on the goal line beside each goal where they are used. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)

## Test 10: What the Laws leave to competitions

- The number actually named is set in each competition's rules. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The limit on stoppages stops substitutions being used to waste time. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The two periods must be of equal length. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The competition rules must state its length. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Drinks breaks and cooling breaks are allowed by competition rules. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- The Laws describe how extra time and penalties work, not when they are used. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Return substitutions and temporary dismissals are among the permitted modifications. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Laws 3, 5, 7 and 9. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- Extra time and penalties apply only if the rules require a winner. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)
- A cooling break lasts between ninety seconds and three minutes; a drinks break no more than one minute. (Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26 and IFAB circulars; FIFA and UEFA competition announcements)

Sources: IFAB, FIFA and UEFA regulations and reports / club and federation statements / published coaching literature / peer-reviewed studies / contemporary reporting

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