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)
- 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)
For complete clarification, visit: Law changes 2023/24 Documents