The Referees' Report

Laws of the Game

Laws 1 - 4 (the factual laws)

Law 1 - The field of play

Plan of the field (a full text description follows)

Dimensions of the Field of Play

Length maximum 130 yards (120 meters), minimum 100 yards (90 meters).
Width maximum 100 yards (90 meters), minimum 50 yards (45 meters).
The length exceeds the width in all cases

For international matches

Length maximum 120 yards (110 meters), minimum 110 yards (100 meters).
Width maximum 80 yards (75 meters), minimum 70 yards (64 meters).

Marking

Field marked with distinctive lines not more than 5 inches (12 cm) wide.
Longer field boundary lines - the touch lines.
Shorter field boundary lines - the goal lines.
Halfway line marked across the field.
Corner and optional halfway flag posts not less than 5 feet (1.5 meters) in height with non-pointed top - optional halfway flag posts placed at the halfway line not less than 1 yard (1 meter) outside the touch lines.
Centre of the field suitably marked and a circle 10 yards (9.15 meters).
Radius marked around it.

The Goal Areas - at each end of the field

Two lines at 90 degrees to the goal line, 6 yards (5.5 meters) from the inside of each goal post extending into the field for a distance of 6 yards (5.5 meters) and joined by a line parallel to the goal line.

The Penalty Areas - at each end of the field

Two lines at 90 degrees to the goal line, 18 yards (16.5 meters) from the inside of each goal post extending into the field for a distance of 18 yards 916.5 meters)and joined by a line parallel to the goal line.

Penalty Marks - in each penalty area

A suitable mark, 12 yards (11 meters) from the mid-point of the goal line measured along an undrawn line at 90 degrees to the goal line - from each penalty mark, an arc of a circle of radius 10 yards (9.15 meters) is drawn outside the penalty area.

Corner Areas

At each corner of the field, a quarter circle radius 1 yard (1 meter) is drawn inside the field.

The Goals

Placed on the centre of each goal line, two upright posts equidistant from the corner flags and 8 yards (7.32 meters) apart (inside measurements), joined by a horizontal cross-bar 8 feet (2.44 meters) from the ground (lower edge). Width and depth of goal posts and cross-bar not more than 5 inches (12 cm).

The corner and optional half-way flags/posts

• flag post to be not less than 1.5 meters (5 feet) high with a non-pointed top
• corner flags are compulsory
• line markings not to be more than 5 inches wide
• halfway flags are optional - can be used to replace a corner flag if one becomes broken

Did you know?

The field of play must be rectangular.

If the crossbar becomes broken during a match played under the rules of a competition, the game cannot continue unless it is properly repaired.

The arc at the edge of the penalty area indicates the minimum distance at which players may stand when a penalty kick is being taken.

Flags must be placed at each corner of the field. Two flags may also be placed at the centre line at least one yard outside the touch line.

The lines which form the boundary of the different parts of the field, such as the penalty area, are part of that area.

The minimum height of a corner flag is five feet and each flag post must have a non-pointed top.

The maximum width of the field marking lines is five inches.

A mark may be made at 90 degrees to the goal line 10 yards in from the corner flag to show the minimum distance that opposing players can stand when a corner kick is being taken.

next: Law 2