LATE ENTERING PLAYER
If a player is not able to enter or re-enter the field at the time for play to begin, due to late arrival or unreadiness of equipment or uniform, he may subsequently enter the field at a stoppage. The player may enter the field from any point on the boundary line, but only after the referee has inspected his equipment.
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MORE THAN ALLOWED NUMBER OF PLAYERS
If, while the game is in progress, the referee finds that a team has more than the allowed number of players, he must stop play, and then remove and caution the extra player from that team. The person to be removed and cautioned would be the substitute. The restart, if there is no clear possession at the moment of the stoppage, is a dropped ball at the place where the ball was when play was stopped (subject to the special circumstances described in Law VIII). If the ball is in the clear possession of one of the teams at the time play is stopped, the restart is an indirect free kick for the team who had possession at the stoppage.
If a goal is scored by the team that had more than the allowed number of players and the referee discovers this before play is restarted, the goal is not valid and the restart is a goal kick. If the referee does not discover the extra player until after the kick-off, the goal remains valid and may not be taken away. The referee must report the incident to the proper authority.
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PREVENTING DELAY DURING SUBSTITUTION
Referees should prevent unnecessary delays due to the substitution process. One source of delay is a request for a substitution that occurs just as a player starts to put the ball back in play. This often (incorrectly) results in the restart being called back and retaken. Another common source of delay is a substitute player who is not prepared to take the field when the request to substitute is made. In each case, the referee should order play to be restarted despite the request and inform the coach that the substitution can be made at the next opportunity. |
ALLOWING SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDING TIME
With the above exception, referees may not ignore or deny permission for a legal substitution that is properly requested. Although Law III requires that the referee acknowledge the substitute before they become a player, this does not mean that the referee can deny permission for any reason other than to ensure that the substitution conforms to the Law. Even if it seems that the purpose is to waste time, the referee cannot deny the request, but should exercise the power granted in Law VII to add time lost through "any other cause." |
LEAVING THE FIELD WITHOUT PERMISSION
The referee may caution a player who leaves the field without waiting for the permission of the referee when his substitution is requested. |
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LEAVING THE FIELD IN THE COURSE OF PLAY
If a player accidentally passes over one of the boundary lines of the field of play or if a player in possession of or contesting for the ball passes over the touch line or the goal line without the ball to beat an opponent, he is not considered to have left the field of play without the permission of the referee. This player does not need the referee's permission to return to the field.
An opponent may exploit a situation in which the goalkeeper has temporarily left the field in the course of play by quickly and correctly taking a throw-in or a corner kick. Even though the goalkeeper may still be returning to the field, a goal scored under these circumstances is valid. No offense has been committed.
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APPLYING DISCIPLINE TO SUBSTITUTES
The referee's authority extends to all substitutes, whether called upon to play or not. While it is not possible for a substitute to commit or be penalized for a foul, substitutes can be shown the appropriate card and cautioned or sent off for misconduct. (See Law V for dealing with coaches and other team personnel.) |
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POST-GAME OR PRE-GAME DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
Post-game: Any misconduct committed by players or substitutes after the match has been completed must be reported to the local league authority. Since misconduct cannot result in a formal caution or send-off, no card may be displayed.
Pre-game: Misconduct committed by a player or a substitute prior to the start of the match is subject to a formal caution or send-off, as appropriate. The referee should not display any yellow or red card at this time. The caution is still recorded, however, and is counted for purposes of sending a player from the field for receiving a second caution during the match. To prevent misunderstandings, the referee should inform officials of both teams before the first period of play begins of any cautions or send-offs occurring prior to the start of the match. |
RESTARTING PLAY FOR INFRINGEMENTS OF LAW III
If the game is stopped to deal with infringements of Law III, play is restarted with an indirect free kick taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the ball was when play was stopped (subject to the special circumstances of Law VIII).
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