- Joined
- Jul 23, 2002
.....Which will come into effect at the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
This includes extending VAR powers of what is reviewable and time limits on goal kicks and throw-ins.
• Number of substitutes that may be used in senior ‘A’ international team friendly matches has been increased to eight, or to 11 if both teams agree and inform the referee in advance. But the restriction to three substitution opportunities per team will apply.
• Ten-second time limit for players to leave the field of play when being substituted. If the time limit is exceeded, the substitute cannot enter until the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed.
• Advance notice: ‘Only the captain’ guidelines will become a compulsory protocol for all competitions as from July 1 2027.
• Accessories are permitted if they are not dangerous and if safely and securely covered.
• Competitions are permitted to use technology to help the referee make/change decisions in relation to the video assistant referee (VAR)protocol, ball in/out of play (including goal line technology) and offside (including semi-automated offside technology).
• Clarification that the advantage may be applied when a restart is incorrectly taken and the ball is in play.
• Barring certain exceptions, players who receive assessment/treatment on the field of play or who cause play to be stopped due to injury must leave and remain off the field of play for one minute after play has restarted.
• VAR may review:
an incorrect red card resulting from a clearly wrong second yellow card
a player wrongly being shown a red or yellow card when the offence was committed by another player of either team
a wrongly awarded corner kick if the decision can be changed immediately and without delaying the restart
Competitions have the option of providing referees, assistant referees and fourth officials with body cameras
Mistaken identity reviewable when a player is shown a yellow/red card but the offence for which the card was shown was committed by another player of either team
• Dropped ball text amended to clarify that the team that ‘would have gained possession’ includes the team that would have taken the restart in situations where the ball would have gone out of play. When there is interference by amatch official or outside agent, the ball is dropped at the position of the interference.
• Confirmation of circular no. 31 concerning accidental double touches during penalties (penalty shoot-out).
• Removal of the automatic caution (YC) for the kicker if they and the goalkeeper offend at the same time.
• No caution (YC) for a DOGSO offence if the advantage is played and a goal is scored.
• Reference to ‘attackers’ added to the list of considerations for DOGSO.
• Use of a five-second visual countdown when a player/team is delaying the taking of a throw-in. If the time limit is exceeded, the throw-in is awarded to the opposing team.
• Use of a five-second visual countdown when a player/team is delaying the taking of a goal kick. If the time limit is exceeded, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.
This includes extending VAR powers of what is reviewable and time limits on goal kicks and throw-ins.
• Number of substitutes that may be used in senior ‘A’ international team friendly matches has been increased to eight, or to 11 if both teams agree and inform the referee in advance. But the restriction to three substitution opportunities per team will apply.
• Ten-second time limit for players to leave the field of play when being substituted. If the time limit is exceeded, the substitute cannot enter until the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed.
• Advance notice: ‘Only the captain’ guidelines will become a compulsory protocol for all competitions as from July 1 2027.
• Accessories are permitted if they are not dangerous and if safely and securely covered.
• Competitions are permitted to use technology to help the referee make/change decisions in relation to the video assistant referee (VAR)protocol, ball in/out of play (including goal line technology) and offside (including semi-automated offside technology).
• Clarification that the advantage may be applied when a restart is incorrectly taken and the ball is in play.
• Barring certain exceptions, players who receive assessment/treatment on the field of play or who cause play to be stopped due to injury must leave and remain off the field of play for one minute after play has restarted.
• VAR may review:
an incorrect red card resulting from a clearly wrong second yellow card
a player wrongly being shown a red or yellow card when the offence was committed by another player of either team
a wrongly awarded corner kick if the decision can be changed immediately and without delaying the restart
Competitions have the option of providing referees, assistant referees and fourth officials with body cameras
Mistaken identity reviewable when a player is shown a yellow/red card but the offence for which the card was shown was committed by another player of either team
• Dropped ball text amended to clarify that the team that ‘would have gained possession’ includes the team that would have taken the restart in situations where the ball would have gone out of play. When there is interference by amatch official or outside agent, the ball is dropped at the position of the interference.
• Confirmation of circular no. 31 concerning accidental double touches during penalties (penalty shoot-out).
• Removal of the automatic caution (YC) for the kicker if they and the goalkeeper offend at the same time.
• No caution (YC) for a DOGSO offence if the advantage is played and a goal is scored.
• Reference to ‘attackers’ added to the list of considerations for DOGSO.
• Use of a five-second visual countdown when a player/team is delaying the taking of a throw-in. If the time limit is exceeded, the throw-in is awarded to the opposing team.
• Use of a five-second visual countdown when a player/team is delaying the taking of a goal kick. If the time limit is exceeded, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.
