IFAB Laws Of The Game changes for 2023/24
Laws 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 (x2) and 14 will all see updates. Not to mention the VAR protocol.
Here are an outline summary of the law changes directly from IFAB.
And below is the tl;dr and my takes on each change…
These laws probably are not in effect for you just yet but you should still get a head start on them now so you’re ready when they go live. Check with your local refereeing association to see when they’ll come into play for you!
Law 3 (The Players)
Clarification that the referee should take action against an extra person on the field of play when a goal is scored only if the person affected the play, e.g. the Law does not expect the referee to penalize encroachment onto the field of play if it does not impact the play.
My take: This is a good update! Now if a team scores with an extra person on the field of play, the goal is only disallowed if that extra player interfered with play. The change was probably made because of this goal scored in the World Cup Final.
Law 6 (The Other Match Officials)
The use of reserve assistant referees has increased significantly, and it is therefore logical that they should be able to give the same assistance to the referee as the other ‘on-field’ match officials.
My take: I assume systems are in place to make sure every match official knows their responsibilities. I could see this having a, “too many cooks in the kitchen” effect but as long as everybody knows their role, the more help that can be provided to the CR, the better.
Law 7 (The Duration of the Match)
Goal celebrations will henceforth be listed separately to emphasize that they often result in a significant amount of time being lost, for which the referee makes allowance.
My take: This is just a small, technical update but one that makes sense. Given goal celebrations are one of the biggest contributors to wasted time, it makes sense to give the act its own space.
Law 10 (Determining the Outcome of a Match)
The term ‘kicks from the penalty mark’ is outdated and rarely used. Most people refer to ‘penalties’ or a ‘penalty shoot-out’
Clarification that warnings and cautions for team officials, as well as for players, are not carried forward into penalties (penalty shoot-out)
My take: This is my second favorite update (my #1 being the changes to offside below). I always feel a bit awkward when talking to coaches before a playoff, semi-final, or finals match and letting them know that if the score is still tied after extra time, we’ll go to kicks from the spot. Everybody knows these as ‘penalties’ or a, ‘penalty shootout’ so let’s just officially adapt this LOTG terminology to the times.
Law 11 (Offside)
The additional wording clarifies the guidelines for distinguishing between ‘deliberate play’ and ‘deflection’ based on the expectation that a player who is clearly in an offside position should not become onside on all occasions when an opponent moves and touches the ball. This wording was published in The IFAB’s circular 26 (July 2022).
My take: My favorite update! This is a big one so definitely click the link at the top of this read to fully delve into it. Here’s another great resource to learn up on these changes (includes full descriptions, video examples, etc).
Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct)
It is not always clear whether an action was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball (or both). The same principle should apply for challenging for the ball as attempting to play the ball. Where the referee awards a penalty for a DOGSO offense, the offending player is only sent off if the offense was committed without the possibility to play the ball.
Clarification that the senior team official can be sanctioned only for an offense committed by an ‘unidentified offender’ who is in/from the technical area, i.e. this does not apply to an offense committed by an ‘unidentified player’.
My take: The first update above just makes sense, as “attempting to challenge for the ball” is the same principal as “attempting to play the ball” from a DOGSO perspective. The second change is another clerical update but an important one to make sure the right sanctions are given to the correct player, team official, substitute, etc.
Law 14 (The Penalty Kick)
Clarification that the goalkeeper must not behave in a manner that fails to show respect for the game and the opponent, i.e. by unfairly distracting the kicker
My take: This is the only change I’m not really sold on. I agree with the principle of the law change, of course! I just think because a player can already be cautioned for “lack of respect for the game” that this is already covered. I believe this update simply more strongly enforces the idea that goalkeepers must not unfairly distract penalty kickers after Emi Martinez’s actions in the World Cup Final shootout.
Video assistant referee (VAR) protocol
Amended wording reflects the VAR ‘light’ system, which does not involve a replay operator.
My take: The VAR watches the match in the Video Room (VOR) with the help of one or more Assistant VARs (AVARs) and Replay Operator (RO). Depending on the number of camera angles (and other considerations) present, there may be more than one AVAR and one or more repetition operators (ROs). This new language simply reflects the VAR system, which does not include a replay operator. Another clerical update.
Know a soccer ref? Feel free to share this with them 💙