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. Let`s now see… Football Referee Rules Explained!

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.
– A referee cannot change a decision after restarting play or ending the half/match unless specific exceptions apply, such as reviewing incidents before leaving the field.
– Disciplinary actions after play resumes are allowed only if an official reported the issue before play restarted.
– If the referee is unable to continue, the other officials take over until the ball is out of play.

Read Also: Video Assistant Referee Explained

3. Powers and Duties
The referee is responsible for:
– Enforcing the rules and working with other officials.
– Keeping time, maintaining records, and submitting match reports, including any disciplinary actions.
– Managing restarts and controlling the match flow.

Advantage
– Play continues after an offence if it benefits the non-offending team. If no advantage occurs, the offence is penalized.

Disciplinary Actions
– Penalizes the most serious offence if multiple occur simultaneously.
– Issues yellow or red cards from the pre-match inspection to the end of the match.
– Takes action against team officials behaving irresponsibly.
– 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 the field unless exceptions apply (e.g., goalkeepers or severe injuries).
– Bleeding players must leave and cannot return until the referee approves.
– If a card is to be shown, it must be issued before the injured player leaves.

Outside Interference
– Stops or abandons the match if issues arise, such as:
– Poor lighting, thrown objects, or whistle interference.
– Extra objects or animals entering the field.
– Ensures only authorized individuals are on the field.

4. Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
VAR is used if authorized by FIFA 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. Decisions can only change if there’s a clear and obvious error.

Reviews After Play Restarts
– A review is only allowed for mistaken identity or specific red card offences like 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 jewelry or cameras.

6. Referee Signals
Approved signals are outlined in specific graphics.

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 goal kicks are given when the whole of the soccer ball being touched by the last player from the attacking team enters into the goal line in either air or on the ground through the process, without resulting into the goal. Here, the goalkeeper is the one who has to take the goal-kick.

The ball will be setup within the goal area with the goalkeeper and they immediately launch it back into the play to gain back possession for their side and begin a new attack. A goal kick is often considered the game restarting method as well as the defending team opportunity to regain the possession of the ball.

9. Fouls and Misconduct
One of the basic principles of football is the existence of the penalty box and the ban on unsportsmanlike behavior. The common fouls like tripping, pushing, holding, and reckless tackles are counted among them.
When a foul takes places, the opposing team is given the right to take a free kick or a penalty kick, depending on the seriousness or the location of the offense.

10. Yellow and Red Cards
Besides fouls, players also get disciplined with yellow and red cards as a form of penalty. A yellow card indicates a warning for a slight misconduct, while a red card means the player will be dismissed from the game in the case of a major foul play. When a player is shown a red card, the team is forced to continue the match with a man down.

11. Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is given to the striking team whenever an offense happens within the area of the defending team. The ball is placed on penalty spot, and the goalkeeper is the only one who can defend the goal post.
The player on the attacking side runs up to the penalty spot and has a shot on goal at that point.

12. Offside Rule
The so-called offside rule is undoubtedly one of the most controversial and complex rules in football. The player is judged to be in an offside position if they are closer to the opponent’s goal line than the ball and the second-to-last defender who played the ball to them.
Nonetheless, no offside offense will be committed if the player is either in their own half or level with the second-to-last defender when the ball is kicked.