2023/24 law changes explained
Here is a simplified version of this year’s key law changes to help prepare clubs, managers, players, referees and spectators for the new season - more detailed information on these changes can be downloaded from the resources section below
Law 1 – The Field of Play
- Clarification that the goal line technology (GLT) indication that a goal has been scored can be communicated via the referee’s earpiece/headset
Law 3 – The Players
- The use of additional permanent concussion substitutions is now available to competitions
- Each team must have a captain who wears an identifying armband
Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment
- Clarification that players are responsible for the size and suitability of their shinguards
- Clarification of the requirements for the captain’s compulsory armband
- Reference to gloves to be included under ‘Other equipment’
- Reference to tracksuit bottoms for goalkeepers to be removed from ‘Compulsory equipment’ and included under ‘Other equipment’
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
- Clarification that non-deliberate handball offences for which penalties are awarded are to be sanctioned in the same way as fouls which are an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball
Law 14 – The Penalty Kick
- Clarification that part of the ball must touch or overhang the centre of the penalty mark
- Encroachment by players will be penalised only if it has an impact (same philosophy as goalkeeper encroachment)
Other:
Guidelines for temporary dismissals (sin bins)
- The guidelines have been revised, including, most notably, to specify that a temporarily dismissed player can return to the field of play only during a
stoppage and to simplify System B
