As the game evolves, so do the Laws that govern it. The latest updates from IFAB include several important changes aimed at improving clarity, consistency, and match management—particularly around player conduct, goalkeeper time-wasting, and restarts. Whether you’re on the pitch as a center referee, assistant, or fourth official, understanding these updates is key to applying the LOTG with accuracy and consistency. Let’s break down what’s new and what it means for your next match!
Law 3 – The Players > 3.10 Team captain
IFAB’s new “only the captain” guideline gives competitions the option of restricting communication with match officials to just the team captain. After key decisions, one captain per team may respectfully approach the referee while others must remain 4 meters away. Captains are to act as gatekeepers, responsible for guiding teammates away from the referee and helping maintain proper conduct. If the goalkeeper is the captain, the team (prior to kickoff) must designate another outfield player to act as the designated communicator. Referees may signal to initiate these procedures (crossed arms, then open-hands pushing gesture) any unauthorized players that approach are to be issued a caution for dissent by action.
Law 5 – The Referee > 5.6 Referee signals
The signal that is to be used to countdown the last 5 seconds of the new 8 second restriction on goalkeepers controlling the ball with their hand(s)/arm(s)
See law 12 change below for more information!
Law 8 – The Start and Restart or Play > 8.2 Dropped Ball
When play is stopped and the restart will be a dropped ball, if it is clear that the ball would have gone to the opposing team, the referee will now drop the ball to that team. Outside the penalty area, the drop will occur where play was stopped. If play is stopped in the penalty area it is still going to the defending team’s goalkeeper!
Law 9 – The Ball in and out of Play > 9.2 Ball in play
If a team official, substitute, or player temporarily off the field (due to injury, equipment issues, etc.) unintentionally touches the ball while it’s still in play but clearly heading out of play, an indirect free kick is awarded without any disciplinary action.
Law 11 – Offside > 11.2 Offside offense
Offside is judged by the first contact with the ball when determining if a player is in an offsides position, but as it’s now clarified, when a goalkeeper throws it, the last point of contact is used instead.
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct > 12.2 Indirect free kick > 12.3 Corner kick
If a goalkeeper controls the ball with their hand(s) or arm(s) for more than 8 seconds, the referee will now award a corner kick from the nearest side of the field to where the goalkeeper was penalized, instead of an indirect free kick. No card is given unless the offense is repeated. The goalkeeper is considered to be controlling the ball with their hand(s)/arm(s) when:
– The ball is held between the goalkeeper’s hand(s) or arm(s), or between their hand(s)/arm(s) and another surface (such as the ground)
– The ball is resting in their open outstretched hand(s)
– The ball is being bounced on the ground or tossed in the air
To assist the goalkeeper, the referee must count down the final 5 seconds of the 8 visually, see the proper mechanic in law 5 above!
Check out more information here: https://www.theifab.com/news/the-ifab-tackles-goalkeeper-time-wasting/
Law 17 – The Corner Kick > 17.1 Procedure
Clarifies from law 12 that the corner kick must be taken from the corner area nearest to the goalkeepers position when they were penalized.
As a referee, it is important to stay up-to-date with all the LOTG and its applications. Every official should have the IFAB on hand to reference at any point. You can download the IFAB LOTG app here: https://www.theifab.com/logapp/
