To the members of FIFA

Circular no . 1149

Zurich, 25 June 2008SG/jya-ebr

Amendments to the Futsal Laws of the Game - 2008

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are pleased to inform you of the amendments to the Futsal Laws of the Game and the instructionsand guidelines that were revised at the meeting of the Sub-Committee of the International FootballAssociation Board and approved by the FIFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee.

CONTENTSIndex

Current text5 The referee6 The second referee7 The timekeeper and the third referee8 The duration of the match9 The Start and restart of play

10 The ball in and out of play11 The method of scoring12 Fouls and misconduct13 Free kicks14 Accumulated fouls15 The penalty kick16 The kick-in17 The goal clearance18 The corner kick

100 YEARS FIFA 1904 2004

New text5 The referee and the second referee6 The timekeeper and the third referee7 The duration of the match8 The Start and restart of play9 The ball in and out of play

10 The method of scoring11 Fouls and misconduct12 Free kicks13 Accumulated fouls14 The penalty kick15 The kick-in16 The goal clearance17 The corner kick

Reason: Law 6 has been merged with Law 5, so the numbering has changed from Law 6 onward .

Federation Internationale de Football AssociationFIFA-Strasse 20

P.O. Box

8044 Zurich

Switzerland

Tel . : +41-(0)43-222 7777

Fax: +41-(0)43-222 7878

www.FIFA .com

FIFAForthe Game . For the World.

CONTENTSIndex

Current textADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FORREFEREES, SECOND REFEREES, THIRDREFEREES AND TIMEKEEPERS

100 YEARS FIFA 1904 2004

Reason: All the officials mentioned are referees and they must all be equally familiar with the Laws .The word "guidelines" has been added to underline that it is obligatory to comply with them .

1 . AMENDMENTS TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME AND DECISIONS BY THE BOARD

LAW 3 - THE NUMBER OF PLAYERSDecisions

Current text3 . A team official may give tactical

instructions to players during a match.However, team officials shall notobstruct players and referees and shallalways behave in an appropriatemanner.

New text3 . A team official may give tactical instructions to

players during a match . However, team officialsshall not obstruct players and referees, placingthemselves within the technical area, whereone exists, and shall always behave in anappropriate manner.

4. The technical area relates particularly tomatches played in facilities with adesignated seated area for technical staffand Substitutes.While the technical areas may differbetween facilities, e.g . in terms of size, thefollowing notes are issued for generalguidance :

"

The technical area extends 1 m an either sideof the designated seated area and extendsforward up to a distance of 75 cm from thetouch lineIt is recommended that markings are used todefine this area

" The number of persons permitted to occupythe technical area is defined by thecompetition rules

" The occupants of the technical area areidentified before the beginning of the matchin accordance with the competition rules

" Only one person at a time is authorised toconvey tactical instructions and he mustreturn to his position after giving theseinstructions

" The coach and other officials must remain

New textADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS ANDGUIDELINES FOR REFEREES

FI FAFor theGame. For theWorld.

LAW 4 - THE PLAYERS' EQUIPMENTBasic equipment

Current textThe basic compulsory equipment of a playercomprises the following separate artides:"

a jersey or shirt" shorts - if thermal undershorts are worn,

they must be the same main colour as theshorts

LAW 4 - THE PLAYERS' EQUIPMENTDecisions

Current text1 . Players must not reveal undershirts that

contain slogans or advertising . Any playerwho lifts his shirt to reveal slogans oradvertising shall be sanctioned by thecompetition organisers .

2 . The shirts must have sleeves.

100 YEARS FIFA 1904 2004

For theGame . For the World.within the confines of the technical areaexcept in special circumstances, for example,a physiotherapist or doctor entering the fieldof play, with the referees' permission, toassess an injured player

" The coach and other occupants of thetechnical area must behave in a responsiblemanner

Reason: The technical area is established as the place from which officials may givetheir players, thus preventing them from hindering the development of play .

_ .6

.-'%

1MII"~U!\,~I\~I

FI FA

instructions to

New textThe basic compulsory equipment of a playercomprises the following separate items:" a jersey or shirt - if undergarments are

worn, the colour of the sleeve must bethe Same main colour as the sleeve ofthe jersey or shirtshorts - if undershorts are worn, theymust be of the Same main colour as theshorts

Reason: To bring the Laws into line with the IFAB's decisions in the Football Laws of the Game.

New text1 . Players must not reveal undergarments

showing slogans or advertising . The basiccompulsory equipment must not haveany political, religious or personalstatements .

2

A player removing his shirt to reveal slogansor advertising will be sanctioned by thecompetition organiser . The team of aplayer whose basic compulsoryequipment has political, religious orpersonal slogans or statements will besanctioned by the competitionorganiser or by FIFA.

3. The shirts must have sleeves .

Current text5 - THE REFEREEThe authority of the refereeEach match shall be controlled by a referee,who has full authority to enforce the Laws ofthe Game in connection with the match towhich he has been appointed, from themoment he enters the premises where thepitch is located until he leaves them .Duties and powersThe referee shall :"

enforce the Laws of the Gameallow play to continue if the team againstwhich an offence has been committedstands to benefit from such an advantage,and penalise the original offence if theanticipated advantage does not ensue

" take note of and report to the appropriateauthorities any incidents occurring before,during and after the match and anydisciplinary measures taken against playersand team officials

" act as a timekeeper in the event that thisofficial is not presentstop, suspend or terminate the match forany infringement of the Laws of the Gamewhen he considers it appropriatestop, suspends or terminates the match as aresult of any kind of outside Interference ;

" takes disciplinary action against playersguilty of cautionable and sending-offoffences

" take action against team officials who areguilty of misconduct and, if necessary,dismisses them from the pitch andsurrounding areaensures that no unauthorised persons enterthe pitch

" stop the match if, in his opinion, a player isseriously injured and ensure that this playeris removed from the pitch

"

allow play to continue until the ball is out of

100 YEARS FIFA 1904 2004

For the Game. For the World.Reason: To bring the Laws into line with the IFAB's decisions in the Football Laws of the Game, whichwere already obligatory, even though they did not appear in the Laws, which were not amended lastyear .

LAW 5 - THE REFEREE AND THE SECOND REFEREEDuties and powers

FI FA

New textLAW 5 - THE REFEREE AND THE SECONDREFEREEThe authority of the refereesEach match shall be controlled by tworeferees, who have full authority to enforcethe Laws of the Game in connection with thematch to which they have been appointed .Duties and powersThe referees shall :"

enforce the Laws of the Game" allow play to continue if the team against

which an offence has been committedstands to benefit from such an advantage,and penalise the original offence if theanticipated advantage does not ensuetake note of and report to the appropriateauthorities any incidents occurring before,during and after the match and anydisciplinary measures taken against playersor team officials

" take disciplinary action against playersguilty of cautionable and sending-offoffences

" take action against team officials who areguilty of misconduct and, if necessary,dismiss them from the pitch area withoutshowing them a red card

" ensure that no unauthorised persons enterthe pitch

"

stop the match if, in their opinion, a playeris seriously injured and ensure that thisplayer is removed from the pitch

" allow play to continue until the ball is outof play if a player is, in their opinion, onlyslightly injured

" ensure that the balls used meet therequirements of Law 2punish the more serious offence if a playercommits more than one offence at thesame time

The referee shall :

play if a player is, in his opinion, onlyslightly injured

" ensure that any ball used meets therequirements of Law 2

" punish the more serious offence if a playercommits more than one offence at thesame time

Decisions of the refereeThe decisions of the referees regarding factsconnected with play are final .The referee and second referee may onlychange a decision if they realise that it isincorrect or if they deem it necessary to do so,provided that play has not restarted or thematch has not ended .Decisionsf. .16 -- THE SECOND REFEREEDuties and powernMs [.aw has been deleted.

Reason: To merge Laws 5

Current text

The timekeeper

0

indicate the end of the first half, the end ofthe match, the end of the periods of extratime and the end of time-outs with awhistle or acoustic signal distinct from theone used by the refereekeep a record of all time-outs remaining to

100 YEARS FIFA 1904 2004

and 6 in order to clarify that the decisions taken by the second referee areof equal validity to those taken by the first referee.

LAW 6 - THE TIMEKEEPER AND THE THIRD REFEREEThe timekeeper

For theGame . For the World." act as a timekeeper in the event that

this official is not present" stop, suspend or abandon the match

for any infringement of the Futsal Lawsof the Game or because of outsideinterference of any kind

Decisions of the refereesThe decisions of the referee regarding factsconnected with play, including whether or nota goal is scored and the result of the match,are final .The referee and second referee may onlychange a decision if they realise that it isincorrect or if they deem it necessary to do so,provided that play has not restarted or thematch has not ended .

Decisions. . .13. In the event of undue interference or

improper conduct an the part of thesecond referee, the referee shall relievehim of his duties, arrange for hisreplacement and submit a report to theappropriate authorities.

4. The second referee shall operate an theopposite side of the pitch to thereferee and shall also be equipped witha whistle.

5. A second referee is compulsory forinternational matches.

New text

The timekeeper

"

indicate the end of the first half, the end ofthe match the end of the periods ofextra time and the end of time-outs witha whistle or acoustic signal distinct from theone used by the refereesindicate a team's request for a time-out

AC_

~1ör1~

FIFA

each team, keep the referees and teamsinformed in this regard and indicatepermission for a time-out when requestedby an official from either team (Law 8)keep a record of the first 5 accumulatedfouls committed by each team signalled bythe referees in each half of the match anduse a whistle or acoustic signal distinct fromthe one used by the referee to indicatewhen a team has committed its fifthaccumulated foul

The third refereein addition to assisting the timekeeper, thethird referee shall:" keep a record of the first five accumulated

fouls committed by each team signalled bythe referees in each half of the match andplace a visible sign an the timekeeper'stable to advertise this fact

" keep a record of stoppages in play and thereasons for them

"

take note of the goalscorers' numbers" record the names and numbers of any

players cautioned or sent offmonitor the replacement of balls at therequest of the refereesif necessary, check the substitutes'equipment before they enter the pitch

" signal to the referees when an obviousmistake has been made in cautioning orsending off a player or if an act of violencehas been committed out of their range ofvision . In any case, the referee shall decidean any facts connected with play

" monitor the conduct of those personsseated an the team benches and inform thereferees of any inappropriate behaviour

" provide any other information relevant tothe game

In the event of undue interference by thetimekeeper or the third referee, the refereeshall relieve the person in question of hisduties, arrange for his replacement and submita report to the appropriate authorities .In case of injury, the third referee may replaceeither the referee or second referee

100 YEARS FIFA 1904 2004

For theCame. For the World.with a whistle or acoustic signaldistinct from the one used by thereferees, after informing the thirdreferee

" indicate the fifth accumulated foul by ateam with a whistle or acoustic signaldistinct from the one used by the referees,after informing the third referee

The third refereeIn addition to assisting the timekeeper, thethird referee shall :

keep a record of the first five accumulatedfouls committed by each team signalled bythe referees in each half of the match andplace a visible sign an the timekeeper'stable to advertise this fact

" keep a record of all the time-outs thateach team has remaining, keep thereferees and teams informed in thisregard and indicate permission for atime-out when requested by an officialfrom either team (Law 7)

" keep a record of stoppages in play and thereasons for them

"

keep a record of the players taking partin the match

"

take note of the goalscorers' numbers" record the names and numbers of any

players cautioned or sent offmonitor the replacement of balls at therequest of the referees

" if necessary, check the substitutes'equipment before they enter the pitchsignal to the referees when an obviouserror has been made in cautioning orsending off a player or if an act of violencehas been committed out of their range ofvision In any case, the referees shall decidean any facts connected with playmonitor the conduct of those personsseated an the team benches and inform thereferees of any inappropriate behaviour

" provide any other information relevant tothe game

In the event of undue interference by thetimekeeper or the third referee, the refereeshall relieve the person in question of hisduties, arrange for his replacement and submita report to the appropriate authorities.

FI FA

Reason: To define the duties of the timekeeper and the third referee, which wereversion . Also, to explain that the third referee may only replace the second referee .

LAW 7 - THE DURATION OF THE MATCHPeriods of play

Current textThe match shall last two equal periods of 20minutes .The timekeeping shall be carried out by atimekeeper, whose duties are defined in Law7 . The duration of either half may beprolonged to enable a penalty kick to betaken, or for a direct free kick to be takenagainst a team that has committed more thanfive accumulated fouls .

Reason : To specify that the prolongation of the duration of a match is obligatory if it isa penalty or direct free pick to be taken after the fifth accumulated foul .

LAW 7 - THE DURATION OF THE MATCHTime-out

Current textThe teams are entitled to a one-minute time-out in each half .The following conditions apply to a time-out :" the team officials are authorised to request

the timekeeper for a one-minute time-out

100 YEARS FIFA 1904 2004

Reason: To prevent the timekeeper from being distracted .

LAW 7 - THE DURATION OF THE MATCHDecisions

Current text1 . If the timekeeper is not available, the team

official may request the referee for a time-out .

FI FAFor the Game . For the World.

In the case of injury to the referee or secondreferee, the third referee shall replace thesecond referee .

not clear in the old

New textThe match shall last two equal periods of 20minutes .The timekeeping shall be carried out by atimekeeper, whose duties are defined in Law6 . The duration of either half shall beprolonged to enable a penalty kick to betaken, or for a direct free kick to be takenagainst a team that has committed more thanfive accumulated fouls .

necessary for

New textThe teams are entitled to a one-minute time-out in each half .The following conditions apply to a time-out :" the team officials are authorised to requestthe third referee for a one-minute time-out" (. . .].

New text1 If the third referee or timekeeper is not

available, the team official may request thereferee for a time-out .

Reason: If the third referee or timekeeper is not aväilable, the team official may request the refereefor a time-out .

LAW 11 - FOULS AND MISCONDUCTDirect free kick

Current textA direct free kick shall be awarded to theopposing team if a player commits any of thefollowing six Infringements in a mannerconsidered by the referees to be careless,reckless or excessively forceful :

kicking or attempting to kick an opponenttripping or attempting to trip an opponent,either by sliding or by bending down infront of or behind an opponent

" jumping an an opponent" charging an opponent ;"

striking or attempting to strike an opponent"

pushing an opponentA direct free kick shall also be awarded to theopposing team if a player commits any of thefollowing five infringements :"

holding an opponent"

spitting at an opponent" sliding in an attempt to play the ball while

an opponent is playing it or is about to playit (sliding tackle), except for the goalkeeperin his own penalty area, provided that hedoes not endanger the safety of anopponent

" touching the opponent before the ballwhen attempting to win possession

" carrying, striking or throwing the ball withone's hands or arms, except for thegoalkeeper in his own penalty area

Reason : To bring the text into line with the Football

LAW 11 - FOULS AND MISCONDUCTIndirect free kick

Current textAn indirect free kick shall be awarded to theopposing team if a goalkeeper commits any ofthe following offences :" after clearing the ball, he touches it again

with his hands before it has been played ortouched by an opponent

" he touches or controls the ball wlth hishands after it has been deliberately kicked

100 YEARS FIFA 1904 2004

New textA direct free kick shall be awarded to theopposing team if a player commits any of thefollowing seven infringements in a mannerconsidered by the referees to be careless,reckless or excessively forceful :

kicking or attempting to kick an opponenttripping or attempting to trip an opponent,either by sliding or by bending down infront of or behind him

" jumping an an opponent" charging an opponent"

striking or attempting to strike anopponenttackling an opponentpushing an opponent

~Ir~0 i14j~`~W~~l14~0

FI FAFor theGame. For the World.

A direct free kick shall also be awarded to theopposing team if a player commits any of thefollowing four infringements:" holding an opponent"

spitting at an opponent" sliding in an attempt to play the ball while

an opponent is playing it or is about to playit (sliding tackle), except for the goalkeeperin his own penalty area, provided that hedoes not endanger the safety of anopponent

" carrying, striking or throwing the ball withone's hands or arms, except for thegoalkeeper in his own penalty area

Laws of the Game .

New textAn indirect free kick shall be awarded to theopposing team if a goalkeeper commits any ofthe following offences :

after clearing the ball, he touches it againwith his hands following a deliberatepass by a team-wate, before it hascrossed the halfway line or been playedor touched by an opponent

to him by a team-mate

Reason: To ensure that the previous wording is complied with .

LAW 11 - FOULS AND MISCONDUCTCautionable offences

Current textA player or a substitute shall be cautioned andshown the yellow card if he commits any ofthe following infringements :

Reason: To create a specific provision for Substitutes .

LAW 11 FOULS AND MISCONDUCTCautionable offences

Current text

Reason: To differentiate between cautions for players and cautions for Substitutes .

LAW 11 - FOULS AND MISCONDUCTSending-off offences

Current text

Reason: To appropriately punish a serious offence.

LAW 11 - FOULS AND MISCONDUCTDecisions

Current text2

Under Law 12, following a clearance by thegoalkeeper a player may pass the ball backto him uslng his head, chest, knee, etcprovided that he receives it after it hascrossed the halfway line or has beentouched or played by an opponent . [ . . 1The offence shall be deemed to have been

100 YEARS FIFA 1904 1004

FI FAFor the Garne. For the World.

New textA player shall be cautioned if he commits anyof the following infringements:

New textA substitute shall be cautioned if hecommits any of the followinginfringements:" unsporting behaviour"

dissent by word or action"

delaying the restart of play

New textA substitute shall be sent off if hecommits the following offence:" denying the opposing team a goal or

an obvious goalscoring opportunity

New text2

Under Law 11, following a clearance by thegoalkeeper a player may pass the ball backto him using his head, chest, knee, etc.provided that he receives it after it hascrossed the halfway line or has beentouched or played by an opponent . [. . .]The offence shall be deemed to have been

Reason :Change in the numbering of the Laws .

LAW 13 - ACCUMULATED FOULSPosition of free kick

Current text" are those punished by a direct free kick

mentioned in Law 12

Reason : Change in the numbering of the Laws .

LAW 14 - THE PENALTY KICKProcedure

Cu rrent textThe player taking the penalty shall kick theball forwardHe may not play the ball a second time untilit has touched another player

" The ball shall be deemed in play from themoment it is kicked and set in motion

When a penalty kick is taken during normaltime or when time has been extended at half-time or full time, a goal shall be awarded if,before passing between the goalposts andunder the crossbar :

.]

committed by any player who attempts tocircumvent both the letter and the spirit ofLaw 12 .

Reason : To specify that this provision also applies

LAW 16 - THE GOAL CLEARANCEProcedure

Current text" the ball shall be thrown from any point

within the penalty area by the goalkeeperof the defending team

" opponents shall remain outside the penaltyarea until the ball is in play

" the goalkeeper may not play the ball asecond time until it has been touched by anopponent or has crossed the halfway line(. .]

100 YEARS FIFA

904 2004

during extra time .

FI FAFor the Came. Forthe wor(d.

committed by any player who attempts tocircumvent both the letter and the spirit ofLaw 11 .

New text"

are those punished by a direct free kickmentioned in Law 11

New text" The player taking the penalty shall kick the

ball forward" He may not play the ball a second time

until it has touched another player" The ball shall be deemed in play from the

moment it is kicked and set in motionWhen a penalty kick is taken during normaltime or when time has been extended at half-time, full time or during extra time, a goalshall be awarded if, before passing betweenthe goalposts and under the crossbar :" 1. .]

New text" the ball shall be thrown from any point

within the penalty area by the goalkeeperof the defending team

" opponents shall remain outside the penaltyarea until the ball is in play

" the goalkeeper may not play the ball asecond time until it has been touched by anopponent or is returned to him by ateam-mate once it has crossed thehalfway line

Reason : To bring the text into line with Law 11 .

LAW 17 - THE CORNER KICKThe corner kick

Current text(. . .]A corner kick shall be awarded when ."

the whose of the ball, having last touched aplayer of the defending team, crosses thegoal line either along the ground orthrough the air, and a goal is not scored inaccordance with Law 11

Reason : Change in the numbering of the Laws .

Cu rrent textthe referee shall choose the goal at whichthe kicks shall be taken

" the referee tosses a coin and the teamwhose captain wins the toss decideswhether to take the first or second kick

" the referee and the timekeeper shall keep arecord of the kicks taken(. . .] .

Current textThe aim of these additional instructions forreferees, second referees, third referees andtimekeepers is to ensure the correctapplication of the Futsal Laws of the Game .Futsal is a competitive sport, and physicalcontact between the players is normal and anacceptable part of the game. (. .]. Serious foulplay and violent conduct are two sending-offoffences under Law 12 and constituteunacceptable levels of physical aggression .

100 YEARS FIFA 1904- 2004

PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE THE WINNER OF A MATCH OR PLAY-OFFKicks from the penalty mark

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR REFEREES

Reason: To bring the text in line with the title and the change in

FIFAFor the Game. Forthe World.

New texti. .]A corner kick shall be awarded when:"

the whose of the ball, having last touched aplayer of the defending team, crosses thegoal line either along the ground orthrough the air, and a goal is not scored inaccordance with Law 10

New text" the referee shall choose the goal at which

the kicks shall be taken" the referee tosses a coin and the team

whose captain wins the toss decideswhether to take the first or second kick

" the referee, the third referee and thetimekeeper shall keep a record of the kickstaken

. .] .

Reason : To add that the third referee will also keep a record of the kicks taken from the penalty, ashe is positioned next to the eligible players .

New textThe aim of these additional instructions andguidelines for referees is to ensure the correctapplication of the Futsal Laws of the Game .Futsal is a competitive sport, and physicalcontact between the players is normal and anacceptable part of the game. [. .]. Serious foulplay and violent conduct are two sending-offoffences under Law 11 and constituteunacceptable levels of physical aggression .

the numbering of the Laws .

Current textThere are circumstances when, in addition to adirect free kick being awarded, a player mustalso be cautioned for unsporting behaviour,e .g . when a player :"

deliberately and blatantly handles the ballto prevent an opponent gainingpossession

"

attempts to score a goal by deliberatelyhandling the ball

Reason: To list all the cases in whichmisinterpretation .

Current text1. .]This inability to properly assess the action ofholding a shirt or an arm can lead tocontroversy ; referees are therefore urged tointervene immediately and firmly in thesesituations in accordance with Law 12 .

Reason: Change in the numbering of the Laws .

Current textPlayers will be cautioned, if, in the opinion ofthe referee, they do any of the following :

"

remove their shirt or cover their head with it

100 YEARS FIFA 1904 2004

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR REFEREESCautions for unsporting behaviour as a result of deliberate handball

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR REFEREESHolding an opponent

New text(. . .]

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR REFEREESGoal celebrations

FI FAFor the Game . For the Word.

New textThere are circumstances when, in addition to adirect free kick being awarded, a player mustalso be cautioned for unsporting behaviour,e.g . when a player :" deliberately and blatantly handles the ball

to prevent an opponent gaining possession" attempts to score a goal by deliberately

handling the ball" pretends to be playing the ball with

one part of his body when he is reallydoing so with his hands in order todeceive the referees

" tries to prevent a goal or deny agoalscoring opportunity with his handwhen the goalkeeper is not inside hispenalty area, and fails in his attempt

a player must be cautioned for deliberate handball, thus avoiding

This inability to properly assess the action ofholding a shirt or an arm can lead tocontroversy; referees are therefore urged tointervene immediately and firmly in thesesituations in accordance with Law 11 .

New textPlayers will be cautioned, if, in the opinion ofthe referee, they do any of the following :" 1. ." remove their shirt or cover their head with

it"

cover their head or face with a maskor other similar item

100 YEARS FIFA 1904 2004

Reason: To bring the text into line with the IFAB's decisions .

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR REFEREESProcedure for injured players

Current textThe referee must take into account thefollowing instructions if a player is injured:" allow the match to continue until the ball

goes out of play if the injury is, in thereferee's opinion, a minor one

" stop the match if the referee considers theinjury to be serious

" after consulting the injured player, thereferee shall authorise one or more(maximum two) medical staff to enter thepitch to allow them to assess the injury andensure that the player leaves the pitchsafely and swiftly

" the referee must ensure that the injuredplayer is carried off the pitch safely andswiftlythe player may not be treated an the pitchany player with a bleeding wound mustleave the pitch and may not return until thereferee has ascertained that the wound hasstopped bleeding . A player may not wearblood-stained clothingt. . .]the match has not been interrupted for any

other reason, or if the player's injury is not aconsequence of an Infringement of the FutsalLaws of the Game, the referee shall restart thematch with a dropped ball at the place wherethe ball was when the match wasinterrupted*

If

New textThe referees must take into account thefollowing instructions if a player is injured:

allow the match to continue until the ballgoes out of play if the injury is, in theiropinion, a minor one

"

stop the match if they consider the injuryto be seriousafter consulting the injured player, thereferees shall authorise one or more(maximum two) medical staff to enter thepitch to allow them to assess the injury andensure that the player leaves the pitchsafely and swiftly

. . .]the referees must ensure that the injuredplayer is carried off the pitch safely andswiftlythe player may not be treated an the pitchany player with a bleeding wound mustleave the pitch and may not return until thereferees have ascertained that the woundhas stopped bleeding (the third refereemay carry out the check, but only thereferees may authorise his entry, if hehas not been substituted) ; a player maynot wear blood-stained clothing

" (. .]If the match has not been interrupted for anyother reason, or if the player's injury is not aconsequence of an infringement of the FutsalLaws of the Game, the referees shall restartthe match with a dropped ball at the placewhere the ball was when the match wasinterrupted* .

FI FAFor the Game. For the World.

Reason: To specify that the second referee may also intervene an certain occasions due to theimportance of the incident and because he is closer to it .

For the Game. For the World.The FIFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee has agreed that the amendments to the Laws of theGame and the instructions and guidelines for referees should come into force an 1 July 2008 .

Yours faithfully,

FEDERATIODE FOOT

cc :

- FIFA Executive Committee- FIFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee- FIFA Referees Committee- Confederations- Member associations

001

-11,4100 YEARS FIFA 1904 2004

FIFA