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Summary of the 2007 Changes
To the Laws of the Game
The 121st Annual General Meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) was held March 3rd in Manchester, England. The 2007 revisions to the Laws of the Game and Decisions of the IFAB become mandatory on July 1st. Additional Instructions are effective immediately. A summary of the 2007 changes follows (quotations are italicized; new or revised wording is in bold text; deleted text has a strikethrough; comments are the author’s).
Law 1 – The Field of Play, Decision 4
There should be no advertising of any kind on the ground within the technical
area or within one metre from the touchline and outside the field of play on the
ground. Further, no advertising shall be allowed in the area between the goal
line and the goal nets.
Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment; Basic Equipment
The basic compulsory equipment of a player comprises the following separate
items:
a jersey or shirt–if undergarments are worn, the colour of the sleeve should be the same main colour as the sleeve of the jersey or shirt
shorts–if thermal undershorts are worn, they are of the same main colour as the shorts
stockings
shinguards
footwear
Comment: This is not a license to inspect undergarments, but applies to any
visible part of the undergarment.
Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment; Basic Equipment, Decision 1
Players must not reveal undershirts that contain slogans or advertising. The basic compulsory equipment must not contain any political, religious or personal statements.
A player removing his jersey to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by the competition organiser. The team of a player whose basic compulsory equipment contains political, religious or personal slogans or statements will be sanctioned by the competition organiser or by FIFA.
Jerseys must have sleeves. (see below for exception)
Comment: Details of violation of the above must be included in the referee’s game report.
The uniform manufacturer’s name and logo are not considered advertising (see AYSO Rules & Regs for requirements)
If the slogan/statement includes offensive, insulting and/or abusive language (or gestures), the referee must send off and show the red card to the offender.
Consistent with U.S. Soccer’s position, AYSO referees must not prohibit players from participating because they are wearing sleeveless jerseys.
The Fourth Official; Reserve Assistant Referee
The fourth official may be appointed under the competition rules and officiates if any of the three match officials is unable to continue, unless a reserve assistant referee is appointed. S/he assists the referee at all times.
A reserve assistant referee may also be appointed under competition rules. His only duty shall be to replace an assistant referee who is unable to continue or to replace the fourth official, as required.
Additional Instructions for Referees, Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials
Celebration of a goal (3rd paragraph)
A player must be cautioned when:
in the opinion of the referee, s/he makes gestures which are provocative, derisory or inflammatory
s/he climbs on to a perimeter fence to celebrate a goal being scored
s/he removes his shirt over his head or covers his head with his shirt
s/he covers his head or face with a mask or other similar item to celebrate a goal
Leaving the field to
celebrate a goal is not a cautionable offence in itself but it is
essential that players return to the field as soon as possible.
Bill Mason, FIFA Law Interpreter for the
American Youth Soccer Organization
