Football Referee Rules Explained

Football Referee Rules Explained

1. The Authority of the Referee
The referee is in charge of the match and has full power to enforce the rules of the game. Therefore, let`s now see… Football Referee Rules Explained!

Read Also: Football Referee Training Programs

2. Decisions of the Referee

The referee makes decisions based on the rules and the spirit of the game, using their judgment.

• The referee’s decisions on play, goals, or match results are final and must be respected.
• Once play restarts or the half/match ends, the referee cannot change a decision unless specific exceptions apply, such as reviewing incidents before leaving the field.
• Officials allow disciplinary actions after play resumes only if they report the issue before the play restarts.
• If the referee cannot continue, the other officials take over until the ball is out of play.

3. Powers and Duties

The referee is responsible for:

• Enforcing the rules and collaborating with other officials to ensure fair play.
• Keeping time, maintaining records, and submitting match reports, including documenting disciplinary actions.
• Managing restarts and effectively controlling the flow of the match.

Advantage

• Play continues after an offence if it benefits the non-offending team. If no advantage occurs, officials penalize the offense.

Disciplinary Actions

• The referee penalizes the most serious offence if multiple occur at once.
• Officials issue yellow or red cards from the pre-match inspection to the end of the match.
• In addition, the referee takes action against team officials who are behaving irresponsibly.
• Moreover, the referee can act on advice from other officials for unseen incidents.

Injuries

• Play continues for minor injuries but stops for serious ones. The injured player must leave unless exceptions apply (e.g., goalkeepers or severe injuries).
• Bleeding players must leave and can only return once the referee approves.
• The referee must show a card before the injured player leaves.

Outside Interference

• The referee stops or abandons the match if there is interference, such as:
  • Poor lighting, thrown objects, or whistle interference.
  • Extra objects or animals entering the field.
  • Ensuring only authorized individuals are on the field.

4. Video Assistant Referee (VAR)

FIFA authorizes the use of VAR to address:

• Goals/no goals.
• Penalties/no penalties.
• Direct red cards (not second yellows).
• Mistaken identity for cautions or dismissals.

VAR assists with replays, but the referee makes the final decision. The decision can only change if there’s a clear and unmistakable error.

Reviews After Play Restarts

• The officials only allow a review for mistaken identity or specific red card offences, such as violence or abusive behavior.

5. Referee’s Equipment

Required Equipment

• Whistle(s), watch(es), yellow and red cards, and a notebook.

Optional Equipment

• Communication tools like headsets and fitness monitors.

Referees cannot wear jeweler or cameras.

6. Referee Signals

Specific graphics outline approved signals.

7. Liability of Match Officials

Referees and officials are not responsible for:

• Injuries to players, officials, or spectators.
• Property damage or other losses related to decisions made during the match.

Examples include decisions about:

• The field’s condition, weather, or match suitability.
• Stopping or continuing play due to interference or injuries.
• Allowing or disallowing clothing, equipment, or personnel on the field.
• Any actions in line with the rules and competition guidelines.

8. Goal Kick

The referee awards a goal kick when an attacking player last touches the ball, and it crosses the goal line without resulting in a goal. Following this, the goalkeeper takes the goal kick.

The goalkeeper then places the ball within the goal area and kicks it back into play immediately, aiming to regain possession for their team and start a new attack. In fact, many view a goal kick as not only a method of restart but also an opportunity for the defending team to reclaim possession.

 

9. Fouls and Misconduct

Football has strict rules about fouls, such as tripping, pushing, holding, and reckless tackles.

When a player commits a foul, the referee awards the opposing team a free kick or penalty kick, depending on the offence’s seriousness or location.

10. Yellow and Red Cards

Besides fouls, players receive yellow and red cards for misconduct. A yellow card serves as a warning for a minor offence, while a red card results in dismissal from the game for a major foul.

When the referee shows a player a red card, their team plays with one fewer player for the rest of the match.

11. Penalty Kick

The attacking team receives a penalty kick when an offense occurs in the defending team’s penalty area.

The player places the ball on the penalty spot, and only the goalkeeper can defend the goal. The player then takes a shot at the goal.

12. Offside Rule

The offside rule is one of football’s most controversial and complex rules. A player is offside if they stand closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender when an opponent passes the ball to them.

However, no offside offence occurs if the player is in their half or level with the second-to-last defender when the opponent plays the ball.