Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match.
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Law 5
The RefereeLaw 5
The Referee
Law 5
The RefereeLaw 5
The Referee
Decisions will be made to the best of the referee’s ability according to the Laws of the Game and the ‘spirit of the game’ and will be based on the opinion of the referee, who has the discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws of the Game.
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final. The decisions of the referee, and all other match officials, must always be respected.
The referee may not change a restart decision on realising that it is incorrect or on the advice of another match official if play has restarted or the referee has signalled the end of the first or second half (including extra time) and left the field of play or abandoned the match. However, if at the end of the half, the referee leaves the field of play to go to the referee review area (RRA) or to instruct the players to return to the field of play, this does not prevent a decision being changed for an incident which occurred before the end of the half.
Except as outlined in Law 12.3 and the VAR protocol, a disciplinary sanction may only be issued after play has restarted if another match official had identified and attempted to communicate the offence to the referee before play restarted; the restart associated with the sanction does not apply.
If a referee is incapacitated, play may continue under the supervision of the other match officials until the ball is next out of play.
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The referee:
enforces the Laws of the Game
controls the match in cooperation with the other match officials
acts as timekeeper, keeps a record of the match and provides the appropriate authorities with a match report, including information on disciplinary action and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after the match
supervises and/or indicates the restart of play
Advantage
allows play to continue when an offence occurs and the non-offending team will benefit from the advantage, and penalises the offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time or within a few seconds
Disciplinary action
punishes the more serious offence, in terms of sanction, restart, physical severity and tactical impact, when more than one offence occurs at the same time
takes disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off offences
has the authority to take disciplinary action from entering the field of play for the pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play after the match ends (including penalties (penalty shoot-out)). If, before entering the field of play at the start of the match, a player commits a sending-off offence, the referee has the authority to prevent the player taking part in the match (see Law 3.6); the referee will report any other misconduct
has the power to show yellow or red cards and, where competition rules permit, temporarily dismiss a player, from entering the field of play at the start of the match until after the match has ended, including during the half-time interval, extra time and penalties (penalty shoot-out)
takes action against team officials who fail to act in a responsible manner and warns or shows a yellow card for a caution or a red card for a sending-off from the field of play and its immediate surrounds, including the technical area; if the offender cannot be identified, the senior coach present in the technical area will receive the sanction. A medical team official who commits a sending-off offence may remain if the team has no other medical person available, and act if a player needs medical attention
acts on the advice of other match officials regarding incidents that the referee has not seen
Injuries
allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is only slightly injured
stops play if a player is seriously injured and ensures that the player is removed from the field of play. An injured player may not be treated on the field of play and may only re-enter after play has restarted; if the ball is in play, re-entry must be from the touchline but if the ball is out of play, it may be from any boundary line. Exceptions to the requirement to leave the field of play are only when:
a goalkeeper is injured
a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need attention
players from the same team have collided and need attention
a severe injury has occurred
a player is injured as the result of a physical offence for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off (e.g. reckless or serious foul challenge), if the assessment/treatment is completed quickly
a penalty kick has been awarded and the injured player will be the kicker
ensures that any player bleeding leaves the field of play. The player may only re-enter on receiving a signal from the referee, who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped and there is no blood on the equipment
if the referee has authorised the doctors and/or stretcher bearers to enter the field of play, the player must leave on a stretcher or on foot. A player who does not comply must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour
if the referee has decided to caution or send off a player who is injured and has to leave the field of play for treatment, the card must be shown before the player leaves
if play has not been stopped for another reason, or if an injury suffered by a player is not the result of an offence, play is restarted with a dropped ball
Outside interference
stops, suspends or abandons the match for any offences or because of outside interference e.g. if:
the floodlights are inadequate
an object thrown by a spectator hits a match official, a player or team official, the referee may allow the match to continue, or stop, suspend or abandon it depending on the severity of the incident
a spectator blows a whistle which interferes with play - play is stopped and restarted with a dropped ball
an extra ball, other object or animal enters the field of play during the match, the referee must:
stop play (and restart with a dropped ball) only if it interferes with play - unless the ball is going into the goal and the interference does not prevent a defending player playing the ball, the goal is awarded if the ball enters the goal (even if contact was made with the ball) unless the interference was by the attacking team
allow play to continue if it does not interfere with play and have it removed at the earliest possible opportunity
allows no unauthorised persons to enter the field of play
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The use of video assistant referees (VARs) is only permitted where the match/competition organiser has fulfilled all Implementation Assistance and Approval Programme (IAAP) requirements as set out in FIFA’s IAAP documents, and has received written permission from FIFA.
The referee may be assisted by a video assistant referee (VAR) only in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ in relation to:
goal/no goal
penalty/no penalty
direct red card (not second caution)
mistaken identity when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the offending team
The assistance from the video assistant referee (VAR) will relate to using replay(s) of the incident. The referee will make the final decision which may be based solely on the information from the VAR and/or the referee reviewing the replay footage directly (‘on-field review’).
Except for a ‘serious missed incident’, the referee (and where relevant other ‘on-field’ match officials) must always make a decision (including a decision not to penalise a potential offence); this decision does not change unless it is a ‘clear and obvious error’.
Reviews after play has restarted
If play has stopped and restarted, the referee may only undertake a ‘review’, and take the appropriate disciplinary sanction, for mistaken identity or for a potential sending-off offence relating to violent conduct, spitting, biting or extremely offensive, insulting and/or abusive action(s).
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Compulsory equipment
Referees must have the following equipment:
Whistle(s)
Watch(es)
Red and yellow cards
Notebook (or other means of keeping a record of the match)
Other equipment
Referees may be permitted to use:
Equipment for communicating with other match officials – buzzer/beep flags, headsets etc.
EPTS or other fitness monitoring equipment
Referees and other ‘on-field’ match officials are prohibited from wearing jewellery or any other electronic equipment, including cameras.
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Refer to graphics for approved referee signals.
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A referee or other match official is not held liable for:
any kind of injury suffered by a player, official or spectator
any damage to property of any kind
any other loss suffered by any individual, club, company, association or other body, which is due or which may be due to any decision taken under the terms of the Laws of the Game or in respect of the normal procedures required to hold, play and control a match
Such decisions may include a decision:
that the condition of the field of play or its surrounds or that the weather conditions are such as to allow or not to allow a match to take place
to abandon a match for whatever reason
as to the suitability of the field equipment and ball used during a match
to stop or not to stop a match due to spectator interference or any problem in spectator areas
to stop or not to stop play to allow an injured player to be removed from the field of play for treatment
to require an injured player to be removed from the field of play for treatment
to allow or not to allow a player to wear certain clothing or equipment
where the referee has the authority, to allow or not to allow any persons (including team or stadium officials, security officers, photographers or other media representatives) to be present in the vicinity of the field of play
any other decision taken in accordance with the Laws of the Game or in conformity with their duties under the terms of FIFA, confederation, national football association or competition rules or regulations under which the match is played
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FAQs
Yes, a disciplinary sanction may (only) be issued after play has restarted if another match official had identified and attempted to communicate the offence to the referee before play restarted subject also to the provisions of Law 12.3 and the VAR protocol.
No, it is not permitted except for:
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a case of mistaken identity or
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for a potential sending-off offence relating to violent conduct, spitting, biting or extremely offensive, insulting and/or abusive action(s).
The offending player cannot be cautioned, or a yellow card shown, as the offence has occurred before the referee has entered the field of play at the start of the match. The incident is reported to the appropriate disciplinary authorities.
The offender cannot be named on the team list or play in the match and is reported to the appropriate authority. The number of players and substitutes is not reduced. A red card is not shown as cards may not be shown until the referee enters the field of play at the start of the match.
The referee may not change a restart decision and may not award a penalty kick. A red card for violent conduct may be issued because the assistant referee had identified and attempted to communicate the offence to the referee before play restarted.
Play is restarted with a dropped ball. The referee drops the ball for one player of the team that last touched the ball at the position where it last touched a player.
The referee plays the advantage, awards the goal and cautions (yellow card) the goalkeeper.
The referee stops play and awards a direct free kick to Team B. Team A player is cautioned (yellow card) and must leave the field of play. Team B player may be treated and stay on the field, if the assessment /treatment is completed quickly.
The referee stops play. Both players may be treated on the field of play and do not have to leave it.
The final decision(s) must be based on what has been seen – therefore although the review was initiated for a red card offence if the referee's opinion, after watching the replays, is that the offence was a caution (YC) and not a sending-off (RC), then the referee must issue a YC.
The yellow card must be shown before the player leaves but if the player is seriously injured the referee should show some empathy when showing the card.
The player (Team A) must be cautioned (yellow card, YC) when play next stops. The Laws state that the referee punishes the more serious offence when more than one offence occurs at the same time. Thus, if a promising attack is stopped (SPA) by a reckless challenge then the YC is for the reckless challenge and not SPA.
Both players must receive the appropriate disciplinary sanction:
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caution (yellow card) for a reckless challenge
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sending-off (red card) for violent conduct
Play is restarted with a direct free kick for Team A because the player from Team B committed the more serious offence.
A ‘VAR-only review’ is usually appropriate for factual decisions e.g. location of an offence (inside/outside the penalty area), offside, ball out of play etc.
Only one ‘TV signal’ is needed so the VAR tells the referee what the TV replays show and the referee then makes the 'TV signal' immediately before giving the final decision.
The referee stops play when the ball is next in a neutral zone/situation and shows the ‘TV signal’. As this is a subjective decision, an ‘on-field review’ (OFR) is appropriate so the referee goes to the referee review area to view replay footage before making a final decision.
The player can stay on the field of play if he/she was injured as the result of a physical offence for which the opponent is cautioned (yellow card, YC) or sent off (red card, RC) and the assessment/treatment is completed quickly. Otherwise, the player must leave the field of play.
No. The referee will allow both players to be treated and then remain on the field.
The referee punishes the more serious offence, in terms of sanction, restart, physical severity and tactical impact.
No. The VAR is only used after the referee has made a first decision (including allowing play to continue), or if a serious incident is missed/not seen by the match officials.
The player will be shown a yellow card, then the second yellow card and – as a result – the red card and sent off unless the first offence was 'interfering with or stopping a promising attack' in which case this offence does not receive a yellow card (as the advantage effectively restored the promising attack).
No – the VAR can only intervene in relation to direct red cards, not yellow cards (including second yellow cards).
No, it is not permitted except for:
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a case of mistaken identity or
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for a potential sending-off offence relating to violent conduct, spitting, biting or extremely offensive, insulting and/or abusive gesture(s).
Yes. Once the review is initiated, the referee has the option to review the replay footage directly. A VAR-only review is usually only appropriate for factual decisions e.g. position of an offence or player (offside), point of contact (handball/foul), location (inside or outside the penalty area). However, with both a VAR-only review and an on-field review, it is the referee who makes the final decision, not the VAR.
Both offences are reported by the referee but the second RC is not shown. The length of the suspension is defined by competition/disciplinary rules, not by the Laws of the Game. The decision is made by the appropriate disciplinary committee.
Yes. The referee may receive assistance from the VAR in case of offence by the goalkeeper and/or kicker at the taking of a penalty kick.
Whichever offence occurs first is penalised so the foul is only penalised if it occurs before the player in an offside position commits an offside offence (e.g. touched the ball).
If both offences occur at the same time the foul is penalised as it is more serious i.e. offside is punished with an indirect free kick whereas the foul is punished with a direct free kick.
Yes, the referee should allow quick treatment on the field of play before the penalty kick is taken as it would be unfair if the team’s kicker has to leave the field and cannot take the penalty kick.
The player can take the throw-in if:
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play has restarted between the player leaving the field for treatment and the player’s request
and
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before taking the throw-in, the player enters the field of play – this need only involves touching the touchline with their foot.
Yes, a disciplinary sanction may (only) be issued after play has restarted if another match official had identified and attempted to communicate the offence to the referee before play restarted subject also to the provisions of Law 12.3 and the VAR protocol.
Deliberately throwing or kicking an object onto the field of play is punished with a sending-off (red card, RC). The senior coach (usually the main coach) present in the technical area will receive the sanction – as the person responsible for other team officials.
