Competitionrules

Overview

In addition to the Laws of the Game, all competitive matches (leagues, cups, knockouts, etc.) have competition rules, which include important information that affects the game.

Competition rules will vary according to the level of football.

Some competition rules may link directly to the ‘General modifications’ section of the Laws, which allows competitions to modify a number of Laws (size of the pitch, goals and ball; number of substitutions; duration of the halves, etc.) for grassroots, youth/children's, disability and veterans football.

Below are some important areas, determined by competition rules, that the referee, other match officials and team officials of both teams should be aware of:

  • How long the game (and extra time) lasts
    • Whether the standard length of the halves of the game (45 minutes) and extra time (15 minutes) may be shorter:
      • for youth/children's, disability football
      • because of a late kick-off, bad weather, etc.
  • Team lists
    • Whether each team must give a team list to:

      • the referees
      • the opponents
    • If team lists are required:
      • is there an official team list document?
      • must it be signed, and if so, by whom?
      • is there a deadline by which the team list must be given to the referee (and opponents), e.g. at least 30 minutes before kick-off?
      • can changes be made to the team list after it has been submitted, e.g. if a player becomes ill/injured?
  • Substitutes
    • How many substitutes can each team:
      • name on the team list?
      • use during the game?
    • How many substitution opportunities does each team have?

This usually only applies in top-level football, where the maximum is three (substitutions made during half-time do not count as an opportunity)

  • Is a team allowed an extra substitute and, where appropriate, an extra substitution opportunity during extra time?
  • Scores are level at full-time in a cup/knockout game
    • Is there:
      • extra time and then, if necessary, penalties?
      • no extra time, only penalties?
      • an away goals rule that applies before extra time/penalties?
  • Other areas that might be included in the competition rules
    • What to do if:
      • both teams have the same colour shirts, i.e. which team must change
      • the referee (or another match official) does not arrive or cannot continue
      • there are doubts about whether the pitch is playable (due to ice, snow, waterlogged surface, etc.)
      • the floodlights go out
      • there are problems with spectators
      • the game is interrupted by bad weather
      • the technology (VAR system or goal line technology) stops working

What happens if…