UK Futsal Association

Futsal Laws of the Game

Questions and Answers

Updated September 2009

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Contents				
Questions and Answers 2009 – Futsal Laws of the Game				
Law		Page		
1	THE PITCH	4			
2	THE BALL	6			
3	THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS	7			
4	THE PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT	16			
5	THE REFEREE AND THE SECOND REFEREE	18			
6	THE TIMEKEEPER AND THE THIRD REFEREE	23			
7	THE DURATION OF THE MATCH	26			
8	THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY	27			
9	THE BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY	29			
10	THE METHOD OF SCORING	30			
11	FOULS AND MISCONDUCT	31			
12	FREE KICKS	42			
13	ACCUMULATED FOULS	45			
14	THE PENALTY KICK	48			
	KICKS FROM THE PENALTY MARK TO DETERMINE	51			
	THE WINNER				
15	THE KICK-IN	55			
16	THE GOAL CLEARANCE	56			
17	THE CORNER KICK	57			

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Preamble

*	An asterisk indicates that play shall be restarted with a dropped ball on the penalty area line at the place nearest to the position of the ball when play was stopped, or with an indirect free kick from the penalty area line at the place nearest to the position of the ball when play was stopped, or with a direct free kick to the defending team from any point in its own penalty area. 

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LAW 1 – THE PITCH

1.	If the crossbar is displace during a match due to breakage or defective manufacture and there are no available means of repairing or replacing it, shall the match be abandoned? 

Yes. The crossbar is a part of the goal and shall always be in place. 

2.	Is it permitted to mark the pitch with broken lines? 

No. 

3.	A goalkeeper or other player makes unauthorized marks on the pitch. What action shall the referees take? 

If the referees notice this before the match starts, they shall immediately caution the goalkeeper or player for unsporting behaviour. 

If the referees notice this during the match, they shall caution the player for unsporting behaviour when the ball next goes out of play. 

4.	What qualities shall the lines that mark the pitch have? 

They shall be clearly visible and 3 inches wide. They shall be the same width as the goalposts and the crossbar. 

5.	May different lines to those prescribed in Law 1 be marked on the pitch? 

This is not recommendable, but as futsal is normally played in halls used for a number of sports, these lines shall be permitted provided they do not mislead players and referees. 

6.	When a corner kick is about to be taken, may the players of the defending team be closer than the mandatory marks painted off the pitch 15 feet from the corner arc and at right angles to the goal line? 

No. All players of the defending team shall remain at least fifteen feet from the corner arc until the ball comes into play. 

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7.	Are goal nets compulsory? 

Yes. 

8.	What is the minimum distance from the touch lines and goal lines at which advertising may be placed? 

One meter. 

9.	What are the seating arrangements for the teams on the benches? 

The team officials and substitutes shall sit on the bench closest to the half that their team is defending. Consequently, the teams shall switch benches at the half-time interval. 

10.	What is the minimum unobstructed ceiling height permitted for indoor halls? 

The minimum unobstructed height shall be four meters unless the competition regulations specify a greater height. 

11.	What action shall the referees take if the ball hits the ceiling, or, for example, a basket attached to the ceiling? 

If the ball was in play, the referees shall stop the match and restart it with a kick-in to be taken by a player of the opposing team at a point level to where contact occurred and as close as possible to the place where the ball hit the ceiling or the object. If the ball was not in play, the game shall be restarted in accordance with the Laws of the Game. 

12.	What distance shall there be between the touch lines and goal lines and the spectator protection barriers? 

The regulations of each competition shall stipulate the distance between these lines and the protection barriers, but the distance shall always be such as to guarantee the safety of those present. 

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LAW 2 – THE BALL

1.	May additional balls be placed around the pitch for use during a match? 

Yes, provided that they meet the requirements laid down in Law 2 and their use is controlled by the referees. 

2.	Shall the ball be considered an object when it is used to strike an opponent? 

Yes. 

3.	During the match, another ball enters the pitch. Shall the referees stop play immediately? 

The additional ball shall be treated as a foreign object and the referees shall only stop the match if the additional ball interferes with play. Play shall be restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located at the time the match was stopped *. 

In any case, the referees shall have the extra ball removed from the pitch at the earliest possible opportunity. 

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LAW 3 – THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

1.	A player accidentally crosses one of the lines marking the pitch boundaries. Shall he/she be considered to have left the pitch without the referees’ permission?

No.

2.	A player in possession of the ball accidentally crosses the touch line or the goal line without the ball in order to beat an opponent. What action shall the referees take? 

Play shall continue. Accidently crossing the pitch boundaries for a moment shall be considered part of the game. However, the players shall remain on the pitch as a general rule. 

3.	At what point shall a substitute be considered an active players? 

From the moment he/she enters the pitch in accordance with the substitution procedure. 

4.	If, before the start of a match played under competition rules, a player is replaced by a named substitute without the referee having been notified, may this substitute continue to participate in the match? 

Yes, The referees shall caution the player for entering the pitch without their permission. If the advantage rule cannot be applied, the referees shall stop play and restart it with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the place where the ball was located when play was stopped *. 

5.	A substitute who is not participating in the match enters the pitch and kicks an opponent with excessive force. What action shall the referees take? 

The referees shall stop play, show the substitute the red card and send him off for violent conduct and restart play with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the place where the ball was located when play was stopped *. 

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LAW 3 – THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

6.	A player who is due to be substituted refuses to leave the pitch. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall allow play to continue, as this does not fall under their jurisdiction. 

7.	The refereeing team allows an unnamed substitute to enter the pitch and he/she scores a goal. What action shall the referees take? 

7.1	If they realize their mistake before play has been restarted: 

The goal shall not be awarded. They shall instruct the player to leave the pitch. The player who has been substituted may return to the pitch or be replaced by another named substitute in accordance with the substitution procedure. Play shall be restarted with a dropped ball on the penalty area line at the point nearest to where the ball entered the goal. 

7.2	If they realize their mistake during the match but after play has been restarted: 

The goal shall be awarded. The referees shall instruct the player to leave the pitch. The player who has been substituted may return to the pitch or be replaced by another named substitute in accordance with the substitution procedure. The match shall continue and the referee shall report the incident to the appropriate authorities. If play was stopped for this purpose, it shall be restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped *. 

7.3	If they realize their mistake after the match: 

The goal shall be awarded. The referee shall report the incident to the appropriate authorities. 

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LAW 3 – THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

8.	A substitute enters the pitch and his/her team plays with an extra player. While the ball is in play, an opponent strikes him/her with excessive force. What action shall the referees take?

They shall stop play, send off the player for violent conduct, caution the substitute for entering the field of play without the referees’ permission and instruct him/her to leave the pitch. The match shall be restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the place where the ball was located when play was stopped *.

9.	Player no. 4 is to be replaced by player no. 7. Player no. 4 leaves the pitch via the substitution zone. Before entering the pitch, player no. 7 strikes an opponent standing on the touchline with excessive force. What action should the referee take? 

They shall show no. 7 the red card and send him/her off for violent conduct. Player no. 4 may be replaced by another eligible substitute or may continue as a player, as the substitution was not completed. 

10.	A player changes places with the goalkeeper without informing the referees. What action shall the referee take when the realize it? If the new goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands inside the penalty area, what action shall the referees take? 

In both cases, they shall allow play to continue. They shall caution both players for unsporting behavior when the ball next goes out of play. 

11.	A substituted player leaves the pitch via the substitution zone, and the substitute, before entering the pitch via said zone, takes a kick-in or a corner kick, thus ignoring the substitution procedure state in Law 3 insofar as it relates to entry to the pitch. Is this action permitted? 

No, the substitution procedure state in Law 3 must first be completed. The player shall enter the pitch via the substitution zone. 

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LAW 3 – THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

12.	A player is substituted during the half-time interval. What is the substitution procedure?

The third referee shall be informed and the player shall enter the pitch via the substitution zone.

13.	A substitute warming up behind his own goal notices that his team is in danger of conceding a goal. He enters the pitch and kicks the ball, thus preventing it from entering the goal. What action shall the referee take? What if the player commits deliberate handball as part of this action? 

In both cases, the referee shall stop play, send off the substitute for preventing an obvious goal scoring opportunity and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the place where the ball was located when play was stopped *. The referee shall make an additional report on the incident to the appropriate authorities. 

14.	An outfield substitute, who is playing in the match but has not entered the pitch via the substitution zone, handles the ball deliberately. What action shall the referees take if they see the incident or are informed of it by the third referee or the timekeeper? 

They shall stop play if they cannot apply the advantage rule and caution the substitute for not entering the pitch via the substitution zone. The player may be sent off if the handball is considered unsporting behavior. If the player is only cautioned, he/she shall still leave the pitch to allow the correct substitution procedure to take place. If he is sent off, he shall leave the pitch for good. The match shall restart with an indirect free kick from the place where the ball was located when play was stopped *. 

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LAW 3 – THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

15.	A substitute who is playing in the match without having entered the pitch via the substitution zone is fouled by an opponent while the ball is in play. What actions shall the referees take? 

They shall stop play and caution the substitute for not entering the pitch via the substitution zone. The player shall then leave the pitch to allow the substitution procedure to be correctly observed. Depending on the nature of the offense, they shall also caution, send off or take no disciplinary action against the player who fouled the substitute. The match shall restart with an indirect free kick against the substitute’s team, which is the one that committed the first offense, the free kick shall be taken from the place where the ball was located when play was stopped *. 

16.	A substitute, who has started playing but has not entered the pitch via the substitution zone, scores a goal. The referees realize this before play restarts after being alerted by the third referee or the timekeeper. What action shall the referees take? 

The goal shall not be awarded. They shall caution the player, who shall then leave the pitch to allow the substitution procedure to be correctly observed. Play shall be restarted with an indirect free kick from inside the penalty area *. 

17.	In the scenario of question 16, what action shall the referees take if the opposing team scores the goal? 

They shall award the goal. They shall caution the offending player for entering the pitch without completing the substitution procedure and instruct him/her to leave the pitch to allow the substitution procedure to be correctly observed or to enable one of his/her team-mates to enter the pitch. 

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LAW 3 – THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

18.	Must a player who is to be substituted leave the pitch via the substitution zone?

Yes. As an exception, a player may be allowed to leave the pitch via a different zone if he is injured or for any reason listed under Law 4. The substitution shall follow the correct procedure.

19.	Is it permitted for a goalkeeper to take a kick-in, corner kick, penalty kick, etc? 

Yes, he/she is also a team member. 

20.	During a match, the goalkeeper comes out of his/her goal to stop an opponent, but only succeeds in putting the ball out for a kick-in. The goalkeeper’s momentum carries him off the pitch and before he can return, the kick-in is taken in accordance with Law 15 and a goal is scored. What actions shall the referees take? 

A goal shall be awarded, as no offense has been committed. 

21.	Competition regulations state that all players must be named before kick-off. A team names only five players and the match begins. May other players who arrive after play has started take part? 

No. 

22.	If no substitutes have been named and a player is sent off before play begins, may the affected team make up its number with a player who arrives at that moment? 

The team may use this player provided that the competition regulations do not prohibit this action. 

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LAW 3 – THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

23.	A team reports the substitutes’ names to the referee before the start of the match, but they arrive at the bench after kick-off. Shall the referee admit them? 

Yes. However, any players whose names are given after the match has started shall not be admitted. 

24.	A team with only three players is penalized with the award of a penalty kick and as a result, one of their players is sent off, leaving only two in the team. Shall the referee allow the penalty kick to be taken or shall he/she abandon the match? 

The match shall be abandoned without allowing the penalty kick to be taken. In the opinion of the International F.A. Board, a match may not continue if there are fewer than three players in either team. 

25.	A player from a team with only three players leaves the pitch to receive medical treatment. What actions shall the referees take? 

The match shall be stopped immediately at the next stoppage in play and shall not restart until the player has been substituted, or, if there are no more substitutes available, he/she has received treatment and returned to the pitch. If he/she is unable to return to the pitch and there are no more substitutes available, the match shall be abandoned. 

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LAW 3 – THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

26.	The board has ruled that a match may not continue if one of the teams has fewer than three players. A team of five players is playing against a team with only three. When the team consisting of five players is about to take a shot on goal, one of the players of the team of three deliberately leaves the pitch. 

a	Shall the referees stop play immediately? 

No. They shall apply the advantage rule if possible. 

b	If a goal is scored, shall they allow it? 

Yes 

c	What further action shall the referees take? 

If the player who left the pitch does not return for the kick-off following the goal or is not substituted, the match shall be abandoned and a report on the player’s behavior shall be submitted to the appropriate authorities. If the player returns to the pitch, he/she shall be cautioned for deliberately leaving the pitch without the referees’ permission. If this is the player’s second caution of the match, the match shall be abandoned on grounds that his team has been left with fewer than three players, unless it was the other team that scored the goal, in which case said player shall be substituted by a team-mate and play may be restarted. 

27.	A team playing with six players scores a goal and the referees notice this before play has restarted. What action shall the referees take? 

The goal shall not be awarded. Play shall be restarted with an indirect free kick from any point inside the penalty area *. The offending sixth player shall be cautioned for entering the pitch without the referees’ permission and shall be instructed to leave the field of play. 

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LAW 3 – THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS

28.	A team playing against a team with six players scores a goal and the referees notice this before the restart of play. What actions shall the referees take? 

The goal shall be awarded. The offending sixth player shall be cautioned for entering the pitch without the referees’ permission and shall be instructed to leave the field of play. 

29.	May a player voluntarily leave the pitch to take liquid refreshment? 

Players are entitled to take liquid refreshments during stoppages in play but only at the touch line. 

30.	Where may substitutes perform their warm-up exercises? 

If possible, behind the team benches. If this is not possible, the substitutes shall warm up in an area that does not impede the players or referees, but under no circumstances may they warm up behind the opponent’s goal. Substitutes warming up shall wear clothing that distinguishes them from the players. 

31.	How many persons may give instructions from the area surrounding the team bench? 

Only one person at a time may give instructions, from a standing position if he/she wishes, provided he/she remains off the pitch next to his/her own bench in the technical area and does not impede the referees or players. He/She shall always behave appropriately. 

32.	A match is extended so that a penalty kick, a kick from the second penalty mark or a direct free kick without a wall can be taken. May the referees allow the team taking the kick to make a substitution? 

No, only the goalkeeper of the defending team may be substituted. 

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LAW 4 – THE PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT

1.	If the color of the shirts of the two goalkeepers is the same, what action shall the referee take if neither have another shirt to change into? 

He/She shall allow play to begin. 

2.	Law 4 provides that the players shall wear jerseys or shirts of a different color to the opposing team and the goalkeepers. Shall the goalkeeper wear jerseys or shirts of a different color to those of the referees? 

Yes, the players and goalkeepers shall wear clothing that distinguishes them from the referees. 

3.	When shall a player be cautioned for removing his shirt while celebrating a goal? 

He/She shall be cautioned for unsporting behavior if he/she pulls his shirt over his head or covers his head with his shirt. 

4.	What action shall the referees take if a player removes his shirt to reveal a similar shirt underneath? 

The shall caution the player for unsporting behavior. 

5.	May a player wear equipment designed to protect him against injury during a match? 

Player may wear protective equipment such as knee pads, arm pads and face masks provided they comply with the provisions of Law 3, i.e. provided they pose no danger to either the player himself/herself or to other players. 

6.	May a player wear spectacles during a match? 

Modern sports spectacles made of plastic or similar material shall not be considered dangerous. Referees shall permit their use in these conditions. 

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LAW 4 – THE PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT

7.	The referees request a player to remove jewellery. Some minutes later, the referees realize that the player is still wearing the jewellery. What action shall the referees take? 

The shall caution the player for unsporting behavior and instruct him/her to leave the pitch to remove the jewellery. 

8.	Are player permitted to use tape to cover jewellery? 

No. 

9.	A player accidently loses his/her footwear and immediately scores a goal. Shall the goal be awarded? 

Yes. The player did not deliberately play without footwear, but lost it by accident. 

10.	Is radio communication between the players and technical staff permitted? 

No. 

11.	Are members associations permitted to modify or adapt Law 4 for their own competitions? 

No. Law 4 is excluded from the modifications described in the Notes on the Futsal Laws of the Game. 

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LAW 5 – THE REFEREE AND THE SECOND REFEREE

1.	If the ball strikes one of the referees in the face while he is on the pitch and then enters the goal while he is temporarily incapacitated, shall a goal be awarded? 

Yes, but only if the goal is legal in the opinion of the other referee. 

2.	During a match, an object thrown by a spectator strikes a match official (referee, second referee, third referee or timekeeper) or a player. Play shall be stopped in order for this person to receive medical treatment. Shall the referee allow the match to continue? 

Depending on the severity of the incident, the referee may allow the match to continue, suspend play or abandon the match. In any case, he/she shall report the incident to the appropriate authorities. 

3.	Is the referee authorized to stop play, if in his/her opinion, the lighting is inadequate? 

Yes. 

4.	Most matches are played under artificial lighting, but this sometimes fails. In such a case, if the lighting system cannot be repaired, shall the whole match be replayed or just the remaining minutes? 

If the referee stops the match before the end of the regulation playing time for any of the reasons stated in Law 5, the match shall be replayed in full, unless the regulations of the competition state that the score at the time play was suspended shall be final. 

5.	May a captain for a team official send off one of this team’s players or substitutes for an offense punishable by a sending off? 

No. Only the referee may send off a player or substitute. 

6.	Does a team captain have the right to question a refereeing decision? 

No, neither a captain nor any other player has the right to show disagreement with a refereeing decision. 

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LAW 5 – THE REFEREE AND THE SECOND REFEREE

7.	A player is guilty of a cautionable or sending-off offence, but the referees allow play to continue in accordance with the advantage rule. When shall they caution or send off the player?

He/She shall be cautioned or sent off when the ball next goes out of play.

8.	The referees allow play to continue in accordance with the advantage rule, even though a player has committed a cautionable offense. Play is then stopped to award a free kick to the team against which the initial offense was committed. A player takes the free quickly to gain an advantage. Is this permitted? 

No. The referees shall not allow the kick to be taken quickly. They shall caution the player who committed the initial offence before restarting play. 

9.	Must the referees show yellow or red cards during the half-time interval or after the match has finished if an infringement has been committed? 

Yes. The referees must caution or send off players until such time as they leave the pitch. 

10.	What action shall a referee take if the two captains agree to forego the half-time interval but one of the players insists on his right to take an interval? 

Players are entitled to an interval and the referee shall guarantee this right. 

11.	Do referees have the authority to order team officials away from the lines that mark the pitch boundaries? 

Yes, the referees have the right to take such measures, even if the match is being played on a public pitch. 

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LAW 5 – THE REFEREE AND THE SECOND REFEREE

12.	A team official is guilty of misconduct. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall send the official away from the team bench and its vicinity to a place behind the protection barriers (where such barriers exist). The referees shall report the incident to the appropriate authorities. 

13.	The ball crosses the touch line, but before the referees declare the ball out of play, a defending player inside the penalty area strikes an attacking player with excessive force. What action shall the referees take? 

The defending player shall be sent off for violent conduct and shown the red card. Play shall be restarted with a kick-in since the ball was out of play when the offence occurred. 

14.	How shall the referees react if, during the course of a match, they realize that one of the teams is deliberately trying to lose? Shall they draw the attention of the team in question to the fact that if it continues to play in that way, they shall abandon the match in accordance with the provisions of Law 5? 

The referees do not have the right to stop the match in this case. 

15.	While the ball is in play, two opposing players commit offences at the same time. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall stop play and, depending on the offences, caution or send off the players or take no disciplinary action. Play shall be restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when the offences were committed *. 

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LAW 5 – THE REFEREE AND THE SECOND REFEREE

16.	A spectator blows a whistle and a defender inside his/how own penalty area picks up or touches the ball with the hands in the belief that play has been stopped. What action shall the referees take? 

The referees shall consider the sound of the whistle external interference, stop play and restart play with a dropped ball from the place where the ball was located when the incident occurred *. 

17.	During goal clearances, the referee shall position himself/herself on the touch line opposite the timekeeper’s table and the benches to give the order to start or restart play. Shall he/she always operate on this touch line during matches? 

No, only for goal clearances. The referees may change touch lines as necessary and whenever it helps the flow of play. 

18.	If the referee is injured, shall the second referee replace him/her? 

Yes, the third referee shall replace the second referee and the timekeeper shall replace the third referee. 

19.	During a match for which no third referee has been named, the referee decides to relieve the second referee of his/her duties, or the second referee injures himself/herself. May the timekeeper assume the duties of the second referee? 

Yes, if the timekeeper is qualified to do so and it is possible to substitute him/her. 

20.	May the second referee enter the pitch to signal a foul, line up a wall, caution a player, etc? 

Yes. 

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LAW 5 – THE REFEREE AND THE SECOND REFEREE

21.	The second referee is about to show a player the yellow card. At that very instant, the referee shows the same player the red card. Whose decision shall prevail? 

The referee’s. Whenever there is a difference of opinion, the referee’s decision shall be final. 

22.	How shall the second referee proceed after a goal had been scored? 

He/She or the referee shall approach the timekeeper’s table to indicate the number of the goal scorer to the third referee, where applicable, and the timekeeper. 

23.	What are the second referee’s duties during the taking of a penalty kick? 

To check if the ball has completely crossed the goal line and that the goalkeeper remains on the goal line until the ball is put into play. 

24.	What are the second referee’s duties during the taking of a kick from the second penalty mark or a direct free kick without a wall? 

To check if the ball has completely crossed the goal line and that the goalkeeper does not advance to within fifteen feet of the ball before it is put into play. 

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LAW 6 – THE TIMEKEEPER AND THE THIRD REFEREE

1.	A goal clearance or free kick to the defending team is taken in that team’s own penalty area. Shall the chronometer be started before the ball leaves the penalty area? 

No. The chronometer shall be started once the ball is in play. 

2.	Who shall determine whether a goal was scored before, at the same time as, or after the acoustic signal has sounded at the end of a period of play? 

The referee. If an offence occurs that results in a direct free kick without a wall, a kick from the second penalty mark or a penalty, it is also up to the referee to decide whether the incident occurred before, at the same time as, or after the acoustic signal. 

3.	The timekeeper sounds the acoustic signal by mistake while the ball is in play. What action shall the referees take? 

If the acoustic signal does not prompt any action that prejudices either team, the referee shall wave play on. If the match has to be stopped, play shall be restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when the match was interrupted *. 

4.	A player leaves the pitch without the referees’ permission, for reasons that are not deemed acceptable in the Futsal Laws of the Game. Shall the third referee or timekeeper inform the referees? 

Yes, if the advantage rule cannot be applied. If not, the acoustic signal shall be sounded to alert the referees. Where it is necessary to stop play, the referees shall punish the player’s team with an indirect free kick from the place where the ball was located when the offence was committed *. If the advantage rule was applied, the acoustic signal shall be sounded at the next stoppage of play. The player shall be cautioned for deliberately leaving the pitch without the referees’ permission. 

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LAW 6 – THE TIMEKEEPER AND THE THIRD REFEREE

5.	After a stoppage in play, the timekeeper forgets to restart the chronometer. What action shall the referees take?

They shall order the unrecorded time to be added.

6.	A player’s two-minute expulsion period has expired. Who may authorize a substitute to come on in his/her place?

Either of the referees, the third referee or the timekeeper.

7.	One of the teams commits its fifth accumulated foul. How shall the third referee and the timekeeper proceed? 

The timekeeper shall alert the referees using the acoustic signal so that they can in turn inform the offending team, unless the referees apply the advantage rule by giving the mandatory signal, in which case they shall do so after the ball has gone out of play. Furthermore, the third referee shall place the fifth accumulated foul sign on the part of the timekeeper’s table nearest to the half defended by the infringing team as soon as the foul has been sanctioned, or once the referees have given the mandatory signal that the advantage rule is to be applied following the accumulated foul. 

8.	The main public display chronometer at the venue where the match is being played stops working. What action shall the referees take? 

The timekeeper shall always carry a pocket chronometer with him/her so that he/she can continue to time the match. In these circumstances an official from each team shall be permitted to enquire how much time has elapsed. This pocket chronometer shall be used to measure the duration of the time-outs in the event that there is no other instrument in the hall. 

9.	The timekeeper or the third referee realizes that the official chronometer is not working properly. Whom shall they inform. 

The referees. 

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LAW 6 – THE TIMEKEEPER AND THE THIRD REFEREE

10.	A substitution takes place that does not comply with the procedure laid down in the Futsal Laws of the Game. What action shall the timekeeper or third referee take? 

If the ball is in the offending team’s possession, they shall sound the acoustic signal to alert the referees; If not, they shall do so as soon as the offending player’s team has possession of the ball or play has stopped. 

11.	Shall the third referee keep a record of the players on the pitch at all times? 

Yes. 

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LAW 7 – THE DURATION OF THE MATCH

1.	Extra time is to be played to determine the winner of a match or play-off. Are players entitled to an interval between the two periods of extra time? 

It is generally accepted that players are entitled to an interval between the end of normal time and the start of extra time. It is not customary for there to be another interval between the two periods of extra time. 

2.	Shall the referees take into account the progress of a move or the position of the ball when they whistle for the end of each period of play? 

No. They shall simply comply with the criteria laid down for correct timing and the Futsal Laws of the Game. 

3.	May a penalty kick, a kick from the second penalty mark or a direct free kick without a wall be followed by second-phase play? 

No. 

4.	Law 7 refers to the duration of a match. Does this refer to the actual playing time? 

Yes. 

5.	At kick-offs, at what point shall the chronometer be started? 

At the moment the ball is kicked towards the opposite half of the pitch. 

6.	A kick from the second penalty mark or a direct free kick without a wall is being taken or retaken outside normal playing time. What action shall the referee take if the ball bursts or deflates before it hits the goalposts, crossbar or goalkeeper, but without crossing the goal line? 

The referee shall order the kick to be retaken with a new ball. 

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LAW 8 – THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY

1.	May the kick-off be taken by somebody other than the players taking part in the match? 

No. If, in certain matches (e.g. charity or exhibition matches) a ceremony is arranged whereby a person not participating in the match performs an honorary kick-off, the ball shall be brought back to the center circle of the pitch and kicked off in accordance with the Laws of the Game. 

2.	Who shall blow his/her whistle for the start of the match after the timekeeper’s acoustic signal has been sounded? 

The referee, who shall stand close to the halfway line. The second referee shall stand level with the penultimate defender of the team that is not kicking off. 

3.	When extra time is played, which team shall kick off? 

The referee shall toss a coin and the team that wins the toss shall decide which goal it shall attack in the first half of extra time. The other team shall take the kick-off. 

4.	May a goalkeeper contest a dropped ball like any other player? 

Yes. Any player may. 

5.	When play is about to be started with a dropped ball, the players of one team refuse to take part. What action shall the referees take? 

The shall restart play by dropping the ball. It is not necessary for both teams to participate in order to restart play with a dropped ball. 

6.	When the ball is dropped to restart play, it bounces directly over the touch line or goal line without having been touched by a player. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall restart play with a dropped ball from the same place as before. 

27

LAW 8 – THE START AND RESTART OF PLAY

7.	Shall a specific distance between players be observed at a dropped ball? 

No, only the distance necessary to avoid obstruction and enable the ball to be dropped correctly. 

8.	Following a kick-off, the ball runs along the halfway line and directly crosses the touch line. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall order the kick-off to be retaken. The timekeeper will not have started the chronometer, as the ball was not in play. 

9.	Before kick-off, shall the referee confirm with the goalkeepers or any other player that they are ready to start the match? 

No. The referee shall merely check that the pitch is clear and that the players are on it. The timekeeper and the third referee shall ensure that substitutes and officials are correctly positioned on their benches. 

28

LAW 9 – THE BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY

1.	Shall the ball be deemed out of play if any part of it touches the goal line or the touch line? 

No, the whole of the ball must completely cross these lines in order for it to be out of play. 

29

LAW 10 – THE METHOD OF SCORING

1.	If a referee signals a goal before the ball has completely crossed the goal line and immediately realizes his/her error, what action shall he/she take? 

Play shall be restarted with a dropped ball *. 

30

LAW 11 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

1.	As the ball is about to be dropped inside the penalty area, a defending player strikes an opponent with excessive force before the ball touches the ground. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall send off the player for violent conduct and restart play with a dropped ball, as this is a case of misconduct rather than a foul, as the ball was not in play. 

2.	While the ball is in play, two team-mates commit an act of unsporting behavior or violent conduct towards each other on the pitch. What actions shall the referees take? 

The referees shall caution them or send them off and restart play with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the place where the ball was located when the offence was committed *. 

3.	While the ball was in play, the goalkeeper strikes with excessive force a forward whose momentum has carried him/her off the pitch into the area enclosed by the goal line and the goal nets. What action shall the referee take? 

They shall stop play, send off the goalkeeper and restart play with an indirect free kick at the place where it was located when play was stopped *. 

4.	A forward goes past the goalkeeper and shoots at the open goal. A defender throws a shoe or similar object, which strikes the ball inside his/her penalty area and prevents it from entering the goal. What action shall the referees take? 

The shoe or similar object shall be considered an extension of the player’s hand. Play shall be stopped, the goalkeeper’s team shall be punished with the award of a penalty kick and the offending player shall be sent off for preventing a goal by committing deliberate handling of the ball. 

31

LAW 11 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

5.	A forward goes past the goalkeeper and shoots at the open goal. The goalkeeper throws a boot or similar object, which strikes the ball inside his/her penalty area and prevents it from entering the goal. What action shall the referees take? 

The goalkeeper shall be cautioned for unsporting behavior and the match shall be restarted with in indirect free kick from the point on the penalty area line nearest to the position of the ball when it was struck by the object. 

6.	An outfield player standing in his own penalty area holding a shinguard strikes the ball with the shinguard to prevent it from entering the goal. What action shall the referees take? 

The referees shall award a penalty kick and the player shall be sent off for preventing a goal. The shinguard shall be considered an extension of the player’s hand. 

7.	What happens if, in a similar situation to the question above, the player in question is the goalkeeper? 

The referees shall stop play, caution the goalkeeper for unsporting behavior and restart play with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the penalty area line at the place nearest to where the offence was committed *. 

8.	A player who has left the pitch to receive medical treatment but has not been substituted trips another player on the pitch. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall caution the player for entering the pitch without the referees’ permission. The trip could lead to sanction if the referees adjudge it to be misconduct. The shall restart play with a direct free kick* or penalty kick. 

32

LAW 11 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

9.	A player enters the pitch in accordance with the substitution procedure and then deliberately handles the ball. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall restart play with a direct free kick or penalty kick *. If, in the opinion of the referees, the player’s handling of the ball also constitutes unsporting behavior, he/she shall also be cautioned. The referees shall send off the player if they consider that he prevented a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity. 

10.	A forward running with the ball encounters a defender in his/her path and goes off the pitch in order to continue playing the ball. The opponent deliberately holds back the player on the other side of the touch line to prevent him/her from continuing his/her run, but without leaving the pitch himself/herself. What actions shall the referees take? 

They shall stop play and caution the defender for unsporting behavior. Play shall be restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped *, as this is a case of misconduct rather than a foul. 

11.	While the ball is in play, a player standing inside his/her own penalty area violently throws an object at an opponent standing outside said penalty area. What actions shall the referees take? 

They shall stop play and send off the offending player for violent conduct. Play shall be restarted with a direct free kick from the place where the offense occurred, i.e. where the object struck or would have struck the opponent *. 

12.	A player on the pitch violently throws an object, e.g. a shoe, at a person seated in the team bench. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall stop play and send off the offending player for violent conduct. Play shall be restarted with an indirect free kick from the place where the player threw the object *. 

33

LAW 11 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

13.	While the ball is in play, a substitute violently throws an object, e.g. a shoe, at a player of the opposing team. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall stop play and send off the substitute for violent conduct. Play shall be restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the place where the ball was located when play was stopped. 

14.	A player standing in his/her own penalty area strikes the referee. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall stop play and send off the player for violent conduct. Play shall be restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team, to be taken from the point on the penalty area line nearest to where the offence occurred. 

15.	A goalkeeper standing inside his/her own penalty area deliberately handles the ball outside the penalty area. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall award a direct free kick to the opposing team. If, in the opinion of the referees, the goalkeeper is also guilty of unsporting behavior or of denying an opponent an obvious goalscoring opportunity, they shall apply further appropriate sanctions. 

16.	A goalkeeper controls the ball with his/her hands in the penalty area, and passes it to a team-mate who is also inside the penalty area. The latter miskicks the ball back towards his/her own goal. The goalkeeper touches it with his/her hands but fails to stop it entering the goal. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall award the goal. 

34

LAW 11 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

17.	While in his/her penalty area, a goalkeeper holds the ball in his hands then places it on the ground and takes it outside the penalty area. He/She then decides to re-enter the penalty area and touches the ball again with his/her hands. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall award an indirect free kick to the opposing team if more than four seconds have elapsed *. 

18.	In open play, a goalkeeper bounces the ball before throwing or kicking it. Is it an offence to bounce the ball? 

No. According to the spirit of the Law, he/she shall not be regarded as having released the ball from his/her possession, unless more than foul seconds have elapsed. 

19.	If a goalkeeper is bouncing the ball, may an opponent play the ball as it touches the ground without being guilty of dangerous play? 

No. 

20.	After taking possession of the ball, a goalkeeper allows it to lie on the palm of his hand. An opponent approaches him from behind and heads the ball from his hand. Is this permitted? 

No. 

21.	In open play, when a goalkeeper throws or releases the ball back into play with his/her hands, an opponent intercepts it before it touches the ground. Is this permitted? 

No. It is an offense to prevent the goalkeeper from throwing or releasing the ball with his hands. Throwing and releasing the ball with the hands shall be considered a single action. 

35

LAW 11 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

22.	A outfield player standing outside his penalty area deliberately handles the ball inside the penalty area. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall award a penalty kick. The offense of deliberate handball includes the unlawful use of the arm, forearm or hand. 

23.	The attacking team takes a kick-in and the defending goalkeeper tries to catch the ball. The goalkeeper misses the ball completely and a team-mate punches the ball over the crossbar. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall award a penalty kick and caution the player for unsporting behavior. The player shall not be sent off for preventing a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity, as a goal may not be scored directly from a kick-in. 

24.	A player tries to prevent the ball from entering the goal by deliberately handling it, but fails. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall caution the player for unsporting behavior and award the goal. 

25.	A player, not including the goalkeeper when he/she is standing in his/her own penalty area, handles the ball deliberately in an attempt to prevent it from reaching an opponent. What actions shall the referees take if his/her attempt fails? 

If the referee apply the advantage rule, they shall caution the offending player for unsporting behavior at the next stoppage in play. 

26.	A player accidently intercepts a ball with his outstretched hands or arms while it is in play. Shall the referee take any action? 

No. No offense has been committed because the player did not act deliberately. 

36

LAW 11 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

27.	A player blocks an opponent using physical contact. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall punish the offending player’s team with a direct free kick or a penalty kick for holding an opponent. 

28.	Is it permitted for the referees to show a red card to a substitute to indicate he/she must leave the team bench and go to the changing room, irrespective of whether he/she has taken part in the match, for his/her use of offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures? 

Yes. All players and substitutes fall under the referees’ jurisdiction whether they are on the pitch or not. The red card is used to clearly indicate the sanction. 

29.	A player deliberately lies on the ball for an unreasonable length of time. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall stop play, caution the player for unsporting behavior and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team *. 

30.	One of the referees cautions a player, who then apologizes for his/her misconduct. May the referees omit to report the incident? 

No, all cautions shall be reported. 

31.	May referees show yellow or red cards to team officials? 

No. Cards may only be shown to players or substitutes, but the referees may take disciplinary action against officials, excluding a caution. 

32.	A player challenging for the ball makes contact with the goalkeeper, who is inside his/her penalty area. Is this permitted? 

Challenging the goalkeeper is permitted. A player shall only be penalized if the challenge consists of a jump, charge or push on the goalkeeper which is careless, reckless or excessively forceful. 

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LAW 11 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

33.	Is it permitted for two or more players to challenge an opponent at the same time? 

Yes, provided the challenges are legal. 

34.	A defender holds on to a forward outside his/her penalty area and continues to hold him/her when the forward enters the penalty area. What action shall the referees take? 

The defender shall be penalized with the award of a penalty kick. 

35.	A player plays in a dangerous manner by raising his/her leg when the opponent tries to head the ball and making contact with the opponent’s head. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall punish the offending player’s team with the award of a direct free kick or penalty kick. 

36.	May referees play advantage when the foul-second rule is broken? 

They may play advantage only if the offence is committed by the goalkeeper through attempting to control the ball in his/her own half of the pitch with his/her hands or feet and losing possession. In all other situations, this action shall not be considered an offence; consequently the advantage rule may not be applied. 

37.	A player enters the pitch after one of his team-mates has served the two-minute expulsion period and after receiving authorization to do so from the third referee or timekeeper. From which area of the pitch shall he/she enter? 

From his/her team’s substitution zone; if not, he/she shall be punished for breaching the substitution rules in the Futsal Laws of the Game. 

38

LAW 11 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

38.	A player asks to leave the pitch but, as he/she is walking off, the ball comes toward him/her and he/she kicks the ball at goal. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall caution the player for unsporting behavior. The game shall be restarted with an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the place where the infringement occurred *. 

39.	The third referee of the timekeeper observes a player committing violent conduct. The referees do not see either the offense or the signal from the third referee or timekeeper and the offending player’s team scores a goal. One of the referees then hears or see the signal from the third referee or timekeeper. What action shall they take? 

They shall disallow the goal, send off the guilty player and restart play with a direct free kick *. 

40.	After a goal is scored, one of the referees sees or hears a signal from the third referee or timekeeper. The third referee or the timekeeper informs the referees that before the ball entered the goal, the goalkeeper of the team that scored the goal struck an opponent with excessive force inside his/her own penalty area. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall disallow the goal, send off the goalkeeper for violent conduct and award a penalty kick to the opposing team. 

41.	When shall a sliding tackle with the intention of playing the ball with the feet be considered legal? 

When the opponent does not have control of the ball; if the tackle occurs when the opponent has control of the ball and the referees consider the action to be serious foul play, the offending player shall be sent off. 

39

LAW 11 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

42.	A player moves towards the opposing goal and has an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. The opposing goalkeeper comes out of his penalty area and dispossesses the player with his feet by means of a sliding tackle. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall send off the goalkeeper for preventing an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing an offence punishable by a direct free kick. They shall record an accumulated foul against the offending team and restart play with a direct free kick from the place where the offense occurred. 

43.	A goalkeeper passes the ball to a team-mate, who passes it straight back. The ball does not leave their half of the pitch. Shall the referees take any action? 

They shall award an indirect free kick against the goalkeeper’s team from the place where he/she touched the ball for a second time *. 

44.	A team is playing with one player fewer following a sending off; a second player of the same team is then sent off immediately afterwards. While the team is playing with two players fewer, they concede a goal. How many players may come onto the pitch after the goal, bearing in mind that the players have not yet served their two-minute expulsions? 

Only one player may come onto the pitch; the other player shall wait for the two minutes to elapse, unless the opposing team scores another goal. 

40

LAW 11 – FOULS AND MISCONDUCT

45.	A player who commits an offence is cautioned for the second time in a match or sent off following the application of the advantage rule. If his/her team conceded a goal during the advantage but before play was stopped to caution the player, shall it still play with one player fewer for two minutes? 

No, the offense was committed before the goal was scored, so the player may not continue to participate in the match, but may be substituted provided that the directives in Decision 1 of Law 11 are followed. 

46.	A player commits an offence during the interval between the two periods of normal time or extra time that leads to his/her sending off. Shall his/her team start the next period with one fewer player if he/she was playing when the period ended? 

Yes, his/her team shall start the next period with one player fewer. 

47.	What if the offense was committed after the match had ended and before extra time (where necessary) had started? 

His/her team shall start extra time with one player fewer. 

41

LAW 12 – FREE KICKS

1.	A player takes a free kick from outside his/her own penalty area and then deliberately touches the ball with his/her hands before another player has played it. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall punish the more serious offence by awarding a direct free kick* or a penalty kick if the offence took place inside the player’s own penalty area. 

2.	A team is awarded a direct free kick in its own penalty area. The player taking the kick passes it directly to his/her own goalkeeper, who is also positioned in the penalty area but who misses it, as a result of which the ball enters the goal. What action shall the referees take? 

The kick shall be retaken, as the ball does not come into play until it has left the penalty area. 

3.	A team is awarded an indirect free kick inside its own penalty area. The player taking the kick strikes the ball with his/her foot and it rebounds off a team-mate also situated inside the penalty area and enters the goal. What action shall the referees take? 

The kick shall be retaken if the ball did not leave the penalty area, as the ball shall not be deemed in play until it has left said area. 

4.	When a goal clearance or a free kick is taken from within a player’s own penalty area, at what point may opposing players enter the penalty area? 

The player may not enter the penalty area until the ball has left it. 

5.	May a free kick be taken by flicking the ball up with one foot or both feet simultaneously? 

Yes. The ball comes into play when it is kicked and set in motion. 

42

LAW 12 – FREE KICKS

6.	When taking a free kick awarded to their team, may players use feints or tricks to confuse opponents? 

Yes, this is permitted and is part of futsal. If any opponents move to within fifteen feet of the ball, they shall be cautioned for not respecting the regulation distance. The four-second count shall be stopped and restarted when the situation returns to normal. If the team taking the free kick takes longer than four seconds, the referee shall award an indirect free kick to the opposing team *. 

7.	An indirect free kick is awarded to the attacking team outside the defending team’s penalty area. Neither of the referees raises his/her arm to indicate that the kick is indirect and the ball is kicked directly at goal. What action shall the referees take? 

The indirect free kick shall be retaken as the initial offence punished by an indirect free is not annulled by the referees’ error. 

8.	A player takes a free kick quickly and the ball enters the goal. The referees did not have enough time to indicate that the free kick was indirect. What action shall the referees take? 

The shall order the indirect free kick to be retaken from the original position, as they previously did not have enough time to give the relevant signal. 

9.	A player takes a free kick quickly. An opponent situated within fifteen feet of the ball intercepts it as he has not had time to position himself/herself at the regulation distance. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall allow play to continue. 

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LAW 12 – FREE KICKS

10.	A player intends to take a free kick quickly. An opponent situated near the ball deliberately prevents him/her from taking the kick quickly. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall caution the player and show him/her the yellow card for delaying the restart of play. 

44

LAW 13 – ACCUMULATED FOULS

1.	A player commits an offence that, according to Law 11, must be penalized with a direct free kick, but the ball is not in play. What action shall the referees take?

An offence has been committed, but not a foul. Consequently, it shall not be recorded as an accumulated foul. Depending on the nature of the offense committed, the referees shall decide whether or not to take disciplinary measures.

2.	While the ball is in play, a substitute commits an offense that is punishable by a direct free kick. What action shall the referees take?

If the substitute infringed the substitution procedure, an indirect free kick shall be awarded against his/her team in the event that the advantage rule cannot be applied, to be taken from the place where the ball was located at the time of the stoppage *. However, no accumulated foul shall be recorded against his/her team, irrespective of whether advantage was played or not.

The referees shall take the appropriate disciplinary measures.

3.	The referee play advantage after an offense which, if play had been stopped, would have led to the match being restarted with a direct free kick. Shall they record an accumulated foul against the offending player’s team once the ball has gone out of play? 

Yes. If the referees applied the advantage rule, they shall subsequently indicate to the timekeeper and the third referee that an accumulated foul is to be recorded against the offending player’s team by giving a signal consisting of raising their right arms and index fingers and pointing their left arms towards the goal of the team that committed the offence. 

If the player in question is guilty of misconduct, he/she shall also be sanctioned when the ball next goes out of play. 

45

LAW 13 – ACCUMULATED FOULS

4.	Two players on different sides commit a foul punishable by a direct free kick at exactly the same time. Shall these fouls be recorded as accumulated fouls? 

Yes, because the players committed fouls punishable by a direct free kick, which are therefore accumulated, but play shall be restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when the fouls were committed *. 

5.	A number of player on the same side commit fouls punishable by a direct free kick at the same time. Shall these fouls be recorded as accumulated fouls? 

Yes, because the referees would be obliged to stop play on account of these fouls being committed. 

6.	During the taking of a kick from the second penalty mark or without a wall and after the referee has given the necessary signal, a team-mate of the player nominated to take the kick steps forward and takes it instead. What action shall the referee take? 

The referee shall stop play and restart the game with an indirect free kick to the defending team from where the offence was committed *, e.g. from the place within fifteen feet of the ball where the player was situated. The offending player shall be cautioned for unsporting behavior. 

46

LAW 13 – ACCUMULATED FOULS

7.	During the taking of a kick from the second penalty mark or without a wall, the ball strikes the goalpost or crossbar and bursts. What action shall the referees take? 

If the ball enters the goal directly after striking the goalposts or the crossbar, the goal shall be awarded. 

If the ball does not directly enter the goal after rebounding off the goalposts or crossbar, the goal shall not be awarded. The ball shall be replaced and play restarted with a dropped ball *. If the match has been extended at the end of a period or at the end of extra time to allow a kick from the second penalty mark or without a wall to be taken, the match shall be declared to have ended. 

8.	A kick from the second penalty mark or without a wall is being taken or retaken outside normal playing time. What action shall the referee take if the ball bursts or deflates before it hits the goalposts, crossbar or goalkeeper, but without crossing the goal line or touch line? 

The referee shall order the kick to be retaken with a new ball from either the second penalty mark or without a wall. 

9.	A team with four accumulated fouls already recorded against it commits two consecutive fouls punishable by a direct free kick, following which the referees apply the advantage rule by giving the mandatory signal. What actions shall the third referee and the timekeeper take? 

As soon as the sixth foul has been committed, they shall sound the acoustic signal to bring play to a halt and enable a direct free kick without a wall or a kick from the second penalty mark to be taken, unless there is an obvious goalscoring opportunity. 

47

LAW 14 – THE PENALTY KICK

1.	The referee orders a penalty kick to be retaken because the goalkeeper did not remain on the goal line. May a different player take the retaken penalty? 

Yes. 

2.	At the taking of a penalty kick, the goalkeeper does not remain on the goal line until the ball is kicked and intercepts it. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall order the penalty kick to be retaken. 

3.	A team-mate of a player taking a penalty kick enters the penalty area or approaches to within fifteen feet of the ball before it is put into play. The goalkeeper deflects the shot over the crossbar and goal line. What action shall the referee take? 

They shall award an indirect free kick to the defending team from the place where the offence was committed *. 

4.	A player takes a penalty kick before the referee has given the relevant signal. What action shall the referee take? 

He/She shall order the penalty kick to be retaken. 

5.	At the taking of a penalty kick, after the referee has given the necessary signal a team-mate of the player nominated to take the kick steps forward and takes it instead. What action shall the referee take? 

The referee shall stop play and restart the game with an indirect free kick to the defending team from where the offence was committed *, e.g. from the place within fifteen feet of the ball where the player was situated. The player shall be cautioned for unsporting behavior. 

48

LAW 14 – THE PENALTY KICK

6.	When a penalty kick is taken, the ball strikes the goalpost and/or crossbar and bursts. What action shall the referees take?

If the ball enters the goal directly after striking the goalposts or the crossbar, the goal shall be awarded.

If the ball does not enter the goal directly after striking the goalposts or the crossbar, the goal shall not be awarded. The ball shall be replaced and play shall be restarted with a dropped ball * . If the match has been extended at the end of a period or at the end of the periods of extra time to allow a kick from the second penalty mark or a kick without a wall to be taken, the period shall be declared to have ended.

7.	During the taking of a penalty kick outside normal time or to determine the winner of a match, what action shall the referee take if the ball bursts or deflates before striking the goalposts, the crossbar or goalkeeper, but without crossing the goal line or touch line? 

The penalty kick shall be retaken with a new ball. 

8.	The referee signals for a penalty kick to be taken. A member of the attacking team then strikes an opponent with excessive force. The referee notices the incident. What action shall he/she take? 

The referee shall wait for the penalty kick to be taken. If a goal is scored, he/she shall order the penalty kick to be retaken and then send off the offending player for violent conduct. If no goal is scored, he/she shall stop play and restart it with an indirect free kick from the place where the offence was committed* and shall send off the offending player for violent conduct. 

9.	A player taking a penalty kick passes the ball back to a team-mate who kicks the ball at goal. What action shall the referees take? 

The referees shall stop play and restart play with an indirect free kick to the defending team from the penalty mark. 

49

LAW 14 – THE PENALTY KICK

10.	A player taking a penalty kick plays the ball forward to set up a team-mate. Is this permitted? 

Yes, provided that the correct penalty kick procedure laid down in the Laws of the Game is respected. 

11.	A defender standing in his/her own penalty area strikes an opponent with excessive force while the ball is in play in his/her opponent’s penalty area. What action shall the referees take? 

Play shall be stopped, the defender shall be sent off for violent conduct and a penalty kick shall be awarded against the offending player’s team. 

12.	A match is extended to allow a penalty kick to be taken. May the goalkeeper be substituted before the penalty kick is taken? 

Yes. He/She may be substituted by another outfield player or by any eligible substitute; if he/she is replaced by an eligible substitute, the substitution procedure shall be followed. 

13.	A player taking a penalty kick makes a feint before kicking the ball. Is this permitted? 

Yes. 

14.	A match is extended to allow a penalty kick, a kick from the second penalty mark or a direct free kick without a wall to be taken. The ball hits one of the goalposts, the crossbar or the goalkeeper before crossing the goal line. Shall the goal be awarded? 

Yes. 

50

KICKS FROM THE PENALTY MARK TO DETERMINE THE WINNER

1.	Do kicks from the penalty mark to determine the winner of a match form part of the match? 

No. 

2.	The captains of both teams agree not to take kicks from the penalty mark to determine the winner of a match, despite the fact that this is stipulated in the competition regulations. What action shall the referee take? 

The referee shall report the situation to the appropriate authorities. 

3.	Who is responsible for selecting which players shall take the kick from the penalty mark to determine the winner of a match? 

Each team is responsible for selecting which players and substitutes take the first round of five penalty kicks and the order in which they do so. 

4.	During kicks from the penalty mark to determine the winner of a match, the ball bursts after hitting one of the goalposts or the crossbar but without entering the goal. Shall the penalty kick be retaken? 

No. 

5.	May an injured player be excused from taking penalty kick to determine the winner of a match? 

Yes. 

6.	At the end of a match, several players leave the pitch and fail to return to take kick from the penalty mark to determine the winner of a match. What action shall the referee take? 

All players who are not injured and have not been sent off are obliged to participate in taking penalty kicks. If they do not return to the pitch, the penalty kicks shall not be taken and the referee shall report the incident to the appropriate authorities. 

51

KICKS FROM THE PENALTY MARK TO DETERMINE THE WINNER

7.	May a player be cautioned or sent off during kicks from the penalty mark? 

Yes. 

8.	Kicks from the penalty mark are about to be taken to decide the winner of a match. May the teams nominate any of their players to take a penalty kick, regardless of whether they were on the pitch at the end of the match? 

Yes, all player and substitutes are eligible to take penalty kicks. Only the goalkeeper may not be substituted, unless he/she is injured. 

9.	After extra time, the lighting fails before or during the taking of penalty kicks. What action shall the referee take? 

The referee shall wait a reasonable length of time. If the problem cannot be solved, the result shall be declared in accordance with the competition regulations. 

10.	During kicks from the penalty mark, a goalkeeper is sent off. May he be replaced by a player listed on the team sheet before the match kicked off? 

Yes. 

11.	During kicks from the penalty mark, a goalkeeper is injured and is unable to continue. May he/she be replaced by a player list on the team sheet before the match kicked off? 

Yes, provided that the third referee is informed and he/she in turn then informs the referee. 

12.	During kicks from the penalty mark, a team is reduced to fewer than three players. Shall the referee abandon the penalty kicks? 

No. The penalty kicks are not part of the match. 

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KICKS FROM THE PENALTY MARK TO DETERMINE THE WINNER

13.	During kicks from the penalty mark, one or several player(s) is/are injured or sent off. Shall the referee ensure that an equal number of penalty takers from each team remain in the other half of the pitch? 

No. The equal number of players in each team only applies to the start of the kicks from the penalty mark. 

14.	At the end of a match, one team has a total of 12 players (including players and substitutes), whereas the other team has only 10. Must the number of players in each team be equal before the kicks from the penalty mark may be taken? 

Yes, the referee shall ensure that the number of players available to each team is equal before the kicks from the penalty mark are taken. 

15.	Where shall the referees stand during the kicks from the penalty mark? 

The referee shall stand level with the penalty mark and give the order for the penalties to be taken from there. 

The second referee shall stand on the goal line at the point where the penalty area line and the goal line meet in order to check that the ball crosses the goal line and whether the goalkeeper remains on the goal line until the penalty kick is taken. 

The third referee shall stand in the opposite half of the pitch with the players available to take the penalty kicks (with the exception of the penalty taker, both goalkeepers and those players who have been excluded from taking the penalty kicks), ensuring that no players leave said area and that no other persons enter the pitch. 

The timekeeper shall sit at the timekeeper’s table and record the penalty kicks that are taken and ensure that the team officials and the players excluded from taking the penalty kicks do not leave the team benches. If there is no third referee, the time keeper shall carry out the third referee’s duties. 

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KICKS FROM THE PENALTY MARK TO DETERMINE THE WINNER

16.	Where shall the goalkeeper stand while his/her team-mate is taking a penalty kick? 

On the opposite side to the referee, level with the penalty mark, on the pitch and more than 15 feet from the penalty mark. He/She shall always behave in a sporting manner. 

17.	A penalty kick is being taken to decide the winner of a match. The ball hits one of the goalposts or the crossbar or the goalkeeper before crossing the goal line. Shall the goal be awarded? 

Yes. 

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LAW 15 – THE KICK-IN

1.	The ball has crossed the touch line, but before the kick-in is taken, a player strikes an opponent with excessive force. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall send him/her off for violent conduct and restart play with a kick-in. 

2.	A player, while correctly taking a kick-in, deliberately aims the ball at an opponent’s head or body. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall not stop play if the ball was not propelled carelessly, recklessly or with excessive force; where such an infringement is committed, they shall stop play, take the corresponding disciplinary measure and restart play with a direct free kick or penalty, to be taken from the place where the ball struck the opponent *. 

3.	Is there a minimum distance between the point on the touch line from which a kick-in is taken and the point where the ball went off the pitch? 

No. The kick-in shall be taken from the place where the ball left the pitch, or level with where the ball struck the ceiling. 

4.	After an incorrectly taken kick-in, the ball goes directly to an opponent. May play continue in accordance with the advantage rule? 

No. A player from the opposing team shall retake the kick-in. 

5.	May a player take a kick-in from a sitting position? 

No. A kick-in is only permissible if the correct procedure in the Futsal Laws of the Game is followed and the ball is played with the foot. 

6.	A player taking a kick-in passes the ball to his/her goalkeeper, who touches the ball with his/her hands in an attempt to prevent it from entering the goal. Nevertheless, the ball enters the goal. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall apply the advantage rule. The goal shall be awarded. 

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LAW 16 – THE GOAL CLEARANCE

1.	A goalkeeper who has taken a goal clearance correctly deliberately plays the ball with his/her hand after the ball has left the penalty area but before another player has touched it. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall award a direct free kick to the opposing team. The player may also be liable to disciplinary action under the provisions of the Futsal Laws of the Game. 

2.	A goalkeeper takes a goal clearance with his/her foot. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall warn the goalkeeper and instruct him/her to take the goal clearance with his/her hands. 

3.	After a goal clearance has been taken, but before the ball has left the penalty area, an opponent enters the penalty area and is fouled by a defending player. What actions shall the referees take? 

The offending player may be cautioned or sent off if appropriate due to the nature of the offense. The goal clearance shall be retaken. 

4.	During a goal clearance, the ball strikes one of the referees inside the penalty area and remains in play. What action shall the referees take? 

No action is necessary. The ball shall remain in play if it rebounds off one of the referees and remains on the pitch. 

5.	A goalkeeper takes a goal clearance and the ball crosses the goal line without having left the penalty area. What action shall the referees take? 

They shall order the goal clearance to be retaken. 

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LAW 17 – THE CORNER KICK

1.	When a corner kick is taken, what is the correct way to place the ball in the corner arc? 

The diagram below illustrates some correct and incorrect positions. 

2.	Does the ball have to leave the corner arc in order for it to be in play? 

No. The ball comes into play once it has been kicked and is set in motion.