1. Field surface
The field of play must be a wholly natural or, if competition rules permit, a wholly artificial playing surface except where competition rules permit an integrated combination of artificial and natural materials (hybrid system).
The color of artificial surfaces must be green. Where artificial surfaces are used in competition matches between representative teams of national football associations affiliated to FIFA or international club competition matches, the surface must meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf or the International Match Standard, unless special dispensation is given by The IFAB.
2. Field markingsThe field of play must be rectangular and marked with continuous lines which must not be dangerous; artificial playing surface material may be used for the field markings on natural fields if it is not dangerous. These lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries.
Only the lines indicated in Law 1 are to be marked on the field of play. Where artificial surfaces are used, other lines are permitted provided they are a different color and clearly distinguishable from the football lines.
The two longer boundary lines are touchlines. The two shorter lines are goal lines.
The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line, which joins the midpoint of the two touchlines.
The center mark is at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of 9.15m (10yds) is marked around it.
- Measurements are from the outside of the lines as the lines are part of the area they enclose.
- The penalty mark is measured from the centre of the mark to the back edge of the goal line.
Marks may be made off the field of play 9.15m (10yds) from the corner arc at right angles to the goal lines and the touchlines. All lines must be of the same width, which must not be more than 12cm (5ins). The goal lines must be of the same width as the goalposts and the crossbar. A player who makes unauthorized marks on the field of play must be cautioned for unsporting behavior. If the referee notices this being done during the match, the player is cautioned when the ball next goes out of play.
3. Dimensions The touchline must be longer than the goal-line.
- Length (touchline): minimum 90m (100yds) maximum 120m (130yds)
- Length (goal-line): minimum 45m (50yds) maximum 90m (100yds)
Competitions may determine the length of the goal-line and touchline within the above dimensions.
4. Dimensions for international matches
- Length (touchline): minimum 100m (100yds) maximum 110m (120yds)
- Length (goal-line): minimum 64m (70yds) maximum 75m (80yds)
Competitions may determine the length of the goal-line and touchline within the above dimensions.
5. The goal area
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal-line, 5.5m (6yds) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for 5.5m (6yds) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal-line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal-line is the goal area.
A flagpost, at least 1.5m (5ft~2m~2m) high, with a non-pointed top and a flag, must be placed at each corner.
9. The Technical Area
The technical area relates to matches played in stadiums with a designated seated area for team officials, substitutes and substituted players as outlined below:
- the technical area should only extend 1m (1yd) on either side of the designated seated area and up to a distance of 1m (1yd) from the touchline
- markings should be used to define the area
- the number of persons permitted to occupy the technical area is defined by the competition rules
- the occupants of the technical area:are identified before the start of the match in accordance with the competition rulesmust behave in a responsible mannermust remain within its confines except in special circumstances, e.g. a physiotherapist/doctor entering the field of play, with the referee’s permission, to assess an injured player
- only one person at a time is authorized to convey tactical instructions from the technical area
10. Goals
A goal must be placed in the center of each goal line. A goal consists of two vertical posts equidistant from the corner flagposts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goalposts and crossbar must be made of approved material and must not be dangerous. The goalposts and crossbar of both goals must be the same shape, which must be square, rectangular, round, elliptical, or a hybrid of these options.
It is recommended that all goals used in an official competition organized under the auspices of FIFA or confederations meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Goals.
The distance between the inside of the posts is 7.32m (8yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44m (8ft~3m~3m).
11. Goal-line Technology (GLT) GLT systems may be used to verify whether a goal has been scored to support the referee’s decision. The use of GLT must be stipulated in the competition rules.
PRINCIPLES OF GLT GLT applies solely to the goal line and is only used to determine whether a goal has been scored. The indication of whether a goal has been scored must be immediate, and automatically confirmed within one second by the GLT system only to the match officials (via the referee’s watch, by vibration and visual signal); it may also be sent to the video operation room (VOR). REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS OF GLT If GLT is used in competition matches, the competition organizers must ensure that the system (including any potentially permitted modifications to the goal frame or technology in the ball) meets the requirements of the FIFA Quality Programme for GLT.
Where GLT is used, the referee must test the technology’s functionality before the match as set out in the Testing Manual. If the technology does not function in accordance with the Testing Manual, the referee must not use the GLT system and must report this to the appropriate authorities.
12. Commercial AdvertisingNo form of commercial advertising, whether real or virtual, is permitted on the field of play, on the ground within the area enclosed by the goal nets, the technical area or the referee review area (RRA), or on the ground within 1m (1yd) of the boundary lines from the time the teams enter the field of play until they have left it at half-time and from the time the teams re-enter the field of play until the end of the match. Advertising is not permitted on the goals, nets, flagposts or their flags and no extraneous equipment (cameras, microphones, etc.) may be attached to these items.
In addition, upright advertising must be at least:
- 1 m (1 yd) from the touchlines
- the same distance from the goal line as the depth of the goal net
- 1m (1yd) from the goal net
13. Logos and Emblems
The reproduction, whether real or virtual, of representative logos or emblems of FIFA, confederations, national football associations, competitions, clubs, or other bodies is forbidden on the field of play, the goal nets and the areas they enclose, the goals, and the flagposts during playing time. They are permitted on the flags on the flagposts.
14. Video Assistant Referees (VARs)
In matches using VARs, there must be a video operation room (VOR) and at least one referee review area (RRA).
VIDEO OPERATION ROOM (VOR)
The VOR is where the video assistant referee (VAR), assistant VAR (AVAR), and replay operator (RO) work; it may be in/close to the stadium or at a more distant location. Only authorized persons are permitted to enter the VOR or communicate with VAR, AVAR, and RO during the match.
A player, substitute, substituted player or team official who enters the VOR will be sent off.
REFEREE REVIEW AREA
In matches using VARs, there must be at least one RRA where the referee undertakes an ‘on-field’ review (OFR). The RRA must be:
- in a visible location outside the field of play
- clearly marked
A player, substitute, substituted player, or team official who enters the RRA will be cautioned.
by: IFAB Laws of the Game 2023-24