1. 2014-15 Amendments U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Each year, the International Football Association Board, also known as the IFAB, meets to discuss and adopt changes to the Laws of the Game and the Interpretation of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees.
This presentation is on the Amendments to the Laws of the Game.
U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program
Amendments to the Laws of the Game
June 2014

2. IFAB International Football Association Board Laws of the Game
Interpretations of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees
The 128th Annual General Meeting took place on March 1, 2014
Edits in bold
The International Football Association Board is the only organization that can make or modify the Laws of the Game or the Interpretations of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees.
Please note that edits found in the Laws of the Game or the Interpretations of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees appear in bold.

3. Changes Laws of the Game Law 4 – Decision 1
Interpretation of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees
Law 4 – Other Equipment
This year, two changes in particular are being highlighted.
First, Decision 1 in Law 4 of the Laws of the Game was expanded.
And second, Other Equipment in Law 4 of the Interpretations of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for referees was amended to include information on head covers.

4. Law 4 – Decision 1
Decision 1 is now reorganized and expanded to include slogans and images as they relate to political, religious or personal messages on the basic compulsory equipment.
If this restriction is violated, the team will be sanctioned and that action can only be taken by the competition organizer or by FIFA.
The second section of Decision 1 focuses entirely on undergarments.
As with the basic equipment, allowing an undergarment to display any slogan, statement or image which is political, religious, or personal in nature or is a commercial advertisement other than a manufacturer’s logo is prohibited.
Again, if this restriction is violated, the player as well as the player’s team will be sanctioned by the competition organizer or by FIFA.

5. Law 4 – Decision 1 Referee not responsible for enforcement
Full details included in the match report
Decision also applies to substitutes and substituted players
Referee’s concern is only the display of prohibited language/images
Caution if deemed dissent
Send-off if deemed offensive, insulting or abusive
The responsibility for enforcing either restriction arising from Decision 1 falls to the competition authority, not to the referee.
However, for such enforcement to be properly supported, the referee must include in the match report full details of what was displayed and the circumstances of the display.
Decision 1 applies equally to players, substitutes and substituted players.
Note that the decision only applies to a public display by a player revealing prohibited language or images during the period of time in which the referee has authority over the conduct of the players.
The referee should only take action if the slogan, statement or image was additionally deemed to be dissent (caution) or offensive, insulting or abusive (send-off).

6. Law 4 – Other Equipment
Two years ago, the IFAB approved a pilot project regarding the wearing of head coverings by female players.
Certain restrictions on this equipment were outlined and published at that time.
Head covers are now officially included in what may be considered approved other equipment provided the head covering meets the listed requirements.
While the pilot was specific to female players, the wearing of head coverings is now extended to male players as well.
In conjunction with the requirements listed, player safety should be the primary concern when determining if a head cover is permitted.

7. Law 4 – Other Equipment Not required for all players
Any head covers worn must be the same color and same type
Goalkeeper exception
May wear black or colored head cover matching the goalkeeper’s jersey
It is not required that all players on a team wear or not wear head covers; only that any head covers worn meet the listed requirements.
If more than one player on a team is wearing a head cover, they must be the same color across the team.
Per the requirements, this means the head covers must be either black or matching the main color of the jersey.
An exception can be made for a goalkeeper to wear either a black head cover or a head cover which is the same main color as the goalkeeper’s jersey even if neither of these colors matches the head covers worn by the goalkeeper’s teammates.

8. Implementation
June 1, 2014
Confederations or member associations whose current season has not ended by this date may delay the introduction of the adopted alterations to the Laws of the Game in their competitions until the beginning of their next season
All changes are in effect on June 1, 2014.
Note that those competitions whose current season has not ended by this date may delay introducing these changes until the start of the next season.

9. Resource Center
A complete version of the Amendments to the Laws of the Game can be downloaded in the Downloads section of the Resource Center at ussoccer.com
Laws of the Game and the Interpretation of the Laws of the Game
Please visit the Resource Center at ussoccer.com for more information on this year’s amendments to the Laws of the Game.
The most recent copy of the Laws of the Game and the Interpretation of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines for Referees can also be found in the Resource Center.