Practical Guidelines – Interpretation and Recommendations

Law 1 – The Pitch

Advertising, logos and emblems on the pitch

If there is/are any advertising, logos or emblems in the centre circle area, the referees should use visual cues from the other parts of the halfway line (e.g. where it intersects with the touchlines) to interpret situations involving the four-second rule or the goalkeeper touching the ball again in their own half of the pitch after it has been deliberately played to them by a team-mate without an opponent playing or touching it.

Law 3 – The Players

If a player who is off the pitch with one of the referees’ permission, and who has not been substituted, re-enters the pitch without permission from one of the referees and commits another cautionable offence, the player must be sent off for two cautionable offences, e.g. if the player enters without permission from one of the referees and then trips an opponent in a reckless manner. If this offence is committed with excessive force, the player is sent off directly.

A player who accidentally crosses one of the boundary lines of the pitch and/or who leaves the pitch as part of a playing movement is not deemed to have committed an offence.

Substitutes

If a substitute enters the pitch in contravention of the substitution procedure or causes a team to be playing with an extra player, the referees, assisted by the other match officials, must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Stop play, although not immediately if the advantage can be applied.
• Caution the substitute for unsporting behaviour if the team plays with an extra player or for contravening the substitution procedure if the substitution was not made correctly.
• The substitute must leave the pitch at the next stoppage in the match if they have not left it before – either to complete the substitution procedure, if the offence was for this reason, or to move to the technical area, if the team was playing with an extra player.
• If the referees apply the advantage:
  • they must stop play once the substitute’s team is in possession of the ball and restart it with an indirect free kick to the opposing team, to be taken from the position of the ball when play was stopped, unless play was stopped with the ball inside the penalty area (see Law 13);
  • and then the substitute’s team commits an offence punishable with an indirect free kick, a direct free kick or a penalty kick, or the substitute interferes with play, they must sanction the substitute’s team by awarding the relevant restart to the opposing team. If necessary, they also take the disciplinary action corresponding to the offence committed;
  • and then stop play because the opponents of the substitute’s team commit an offence or because the ball goes out of play, they must restart play with an indirect free kick to the opponents of the substitute’s team. If necessary, they also take the disciplinary action corresponding to the offence committed.
• If a named substitute enters the pitch instead of a named player at the start of the match and the referees or other match officials are not informed of this change:
  • the referees allow the named substitute to continue the match;
  • no disciplinary action may be taken against the named substitute;
  • the referees report the incident to the appropriate authorities.
• If a substitute commits a sending-off offence before entering the pitch, the number of players in the team is not reduced and another substitute or the player who was going to be replaced may enter the pitch.

Authorised departure from the pitch

In addition to a normal substitution, a player may leave the pitch without either the referee’s or the second referee’s permission in the following situations:

• as part of a playing movement whereby the player immediately returns to the pitch, i.e. to play the ball or dribble past an opponent. However, it is not permitted to leave the pitch and move behind one of the goals or along the touchline before re-entering the pitch with the aim of deceiving the opponents or taking up an advantageous position. If this happens, the referees stop play if they cannot apply the advantage. If they stop play, they must restart it with an indirect free kick. The player is cautioned for unsporting behaviour.
• due to injury. The player needs the permission of one of the referees to re-enter the pitch if the player has not been substituted. If the player has suffered bleeding, the bleeding must have stopped before the player re-enters the pitch, and the player must be checked by the referees or one of the other match officials.
• to correct or put back on their equipment. The player needs one of the referees’ permission to re-enter the pitch if the player has not been substituted, and the referees or one of the other match officials must check the equipment before the player returns to the match.

Unauthorised departure from the pitch

If a player leaves the pitch without one of the referees’ permission and for reasons not permitted under the Futsal Laws of the Game, the timekeeper or the third referee sounds the acoustic signal to inform the referees if the advantage cannot be applied. If it is necessary to stop play, the referees sanction the offending player’s team by awarding an indirect free kick to the opposing team. If the advantage is applied, the timekeeper or the third referee must sound the acoustic signal at the next stoppage in play. The player is cautioned for leaving the pitch without either referee’s permission.

Minimum number of players

Although a match may not start if either team consists of fewer than three players, the minimum number of players, including substitutes, required for a match is left to the discretion of national football associations.

A match may not resume if either of the teams has fewer than three players. However, if a team has fewer than three players because one or more players has deliberately left the pitch, the referees are not obliged to stop the match immediately and the advantage may be applied. In such cases, the referees must not restart the match after play has been stopped if a team does not have the minimum number of three players.

Refreshments

The referees allow players to take refreshments during timeouts or during a stoppage in the match, but only off the pitch, so that it does not become wet. It is not permitted to throw bags or any other receptacle containing liquids onto the pitch.

Players sent off

If a player commits a sending-off offence during the half-time interval or before the start of either period of extra time, the offending team starts the next period with one fewer player on the pitch.

Law 5 – The Referees

Powers and duties

Futsal is a competitive sport, and referees must understand that physical contact between the players is normal and an acceptable part of the game. Nevertheless, if the players do not respect the Futsal Laws of the Game and the spirit of fair play, the referees must take the appropriate action to ensure that they are respected.

The referees have the power to caution or send off players or team officials during the half-time interval and after the match has finished, as well as during extra time and penalties (penalty shoot-out).

Advantage

The referees may play the advantage whenever an offence occurs and the Futsal Laws of the Game do not explicitly prohibit the advantage from being applied. For example, if the goalkeeper decides to distribute a goal clearance quickly with opponents inside the penalty area, the advantage may be applied; however, the advantage may not be played when a kick-in is taken incorrectly.

The application of the advantage is not permitted for an offence under the four-second rule, unless the offence is committed by the goalkeeper in their own half of the pitch when the ball is already in play and the goalkeeper’s team immediately loses possession. In the remaining cases involving this rule (at free kicks, kick-ins, goal clearances and corner kicks), the referees cannot apply the advantage.

The referees should consider the following factors in deciding whether to apply the advantage:

• The severity of the offence: if the offence warrants a sending-off, the referees must stop play and send off the player unless there is an opportunity to score a goal.
• The position where the offence was committed: the closer to the opposing goal, the more effective the advantage can be.
• The chances of an immediate, promising attack.
• The offence committed must not be a team’s sixth or greater accumulated foul, unless there is an opportunity to score a goal.
• The atmosphere of the match.

The decision to penalise the original offence must be taken within a few seconds, but it is not possible to go back if the corresponding signal has not previously been given or a new passage of play has been allowed.

If the offence warrants a caution, it must be issued at the next stoppage. However, unless there is a clear advantage, it is recommended that the referees stop play and caution the player immediately. If the caution is not issued at the next stoppage, it cannot be shown later.

If the offence was denying the opposing team an obvious goalscoring opportunity, the player is cautioned for unsporting behaviour. If the offence was interfering with or stopping a promising attack, the player is not cautioned (see Law 12 – Advantage).

However:

• If the offence was a reckless challenge or a tactical offence, such as tactical holding, the offending player must be cautioned (see the section dedicated to Law 12 below).
• If the offence involved the use of excessive force, the offending player must be sent off.

If an offence requires play to be restarted with an indirect free kick, the referees must apply the advantage to ensure that play flows, provided that this does not lead to any retaliation and is not prejudicial to the team against which the offence was committed.

More than one offence occurring at the same time

Where more than one offence is committed at the same time, the referees punish the more serious offence in terms of sanction, restart, physical severity and tactical impact.

If the offences committed are punishable with a direct free kick, the referees order the corresponding accumulated fouls to be recorded.

External interference

The referees stop play if a spectator blows a whistle and they consider that this action interferes with play, e.g. if a player picks up the ball with the hands. If play is stopped, it must be restarted with a dropped ball (see Law 8).

Four-second count when the ball is in play

Each time that a team’s goalkeeper is in possession of the ball, while it is in play and in the goalkeeper’s own half of the pitch, one of the referees must visibly perform the four-second count.

Restart of play

The referees especially must ensure that restarts of play are carried out quickly and must not allow restarts (kick-ins, goal clearances, corner kicks or free kicks) to be delayed for tactical reasons. Where restarts are carried out lawfully, the four-second count starts and it is not necessary to use the whistle. If the referees believe that the restart is being delayed for tactical reasons, they must blow the whistle and then start the four-second count, irrespective of whether the player taking the restart is ready or not. In cases where the four-second count does not apply (kick-offs or penalty kicks), any players who delay the restart are cautioned.

Persons holding balls are permitted to position themselves around the pitch to facilitate restarts and the development of play.

Use of the whistle

The use of the whistle is mandatory for:

• kick-offs:
  • to start play (first and second period and first and second period of extra time, if necessary);
  • to restart play after a goal;
• stopping play:
  • to award a free kick or penalty kick;
  • to suspend or abandon a match or to confirm the timekeeper’s acoustic signal when ending the period of play;
• restarting play for:
  • free kicks to ensure that the defending-team players observe the required distance;
  • DFKSAFs;
  • penalty kicks;
• restarting play after it has been stopped due to:
  • the issue of a caution or sending-off for misconduct;
  • injury to one or more players.

The use of the whistle is not needed to:

• stop play for:
  • a goal clearance, corner kick or kick-in (but it is mandatory if the situation is unclear);
  • a goal (but it is mandatory if the ball has not clearly entered the goal);
• restart play from:
  • a free kick if the minimum distance of 5m has not been requested or the opposing team to the kicker has not committed six accumulated fouls;
  • a goal clearance, corner kick or kick-in if the minimum distance of 5m has not been requested;
• restart play with a dropped ball.

Using the whistle too frequently will result in the impact being diminished when it is truly needed. When the team taking a free kick, kick-in or corner kick requests that the defending-team players observe the required distance (or the correct positioning at a goal clearance), the referees will clearly inform the players that play cannot be restarted until after the whistle. If, in these cases, a player restarts play before the referees’ whistle, the player is cautioned for delaying the restart of play.

If, during play, one of the referees sounds the whistle by mistake, the referees must stop the match if they consider that this action has interfered with play. If the referees stop the match, they must restart play with a dropped ball (see Law 8). If the sound of the whistle does not interfere with play, the referees give clear signals to play on.

Body language

Body language is a tool that the referees use to:

• help themselves control the match;
• show authority and self-control.

Body language is not a means of justifying a decision.

Injuries

The safety of the players is of paramount importance and the referees should facilitate the work of the medical personnel, especially in the case of a severe injury and/or an assessment of a head injury. This will include respecting and assisting with agreed assessment/treatment protocols.

However, as a general guide, the restart should not be delayed for more than about 20-25 seconds beyond the point when everyone was ready for play to restart, except in the case of a severe injury and/or an assessment of a head injury.

Law 6 – The Other Match Officials

Duties and responsibilities

The third referee and the timekeeper help the referees to control the match in accordance with the Futsal Laws of the Game. They also assist the referees in all other matters involving the running of the match at the request of and under the direction of the referees. This commonly includes such matters as:

• inspecting the pitch, the balls used and players’ equipment;
• determining if problems with equipment or bleeding have been resolved;
• monitoring the substitution procedure;
• maintaining back-up records of time, goals, accumulated fouls and misconduct.

Positioning of the assistant referees and teamwork

1. Kick-off

The third referee is situated at the timekeeper’s table and checks that the substitutes, team officials and other persons are correctly positioned.

The timekeeper is situated at the timekeeper’s table and checks that the kick-off is taken correctly.

2. General positioning during the match

The third referee checks that the substitutes, team officials and other persons are in the correct positions. To do so, the third referee may move along the touchline, if necessary, but without entering the pitch.

The timekeeper is positioned at the timekeeper’s table and ensures that the chronometer is stopped and started in accordance with the development of play.

3. Substitutions

The third referee checks that the substitutes’ equipment is correct and that the substitutions are made correctly. To do so, the third referee may move along the touchline, if necessary, but without entering the pitch.

4. Penalties (penalty shoot-out)

Where no fourth referee is in place, the third referee must be positioned in the half of the pitch where the penalties (penalty shoot-out) are not being taken, together with the eligible players and substitutes. From this position, the third referee observes the players’ behaviour and ensures that no player takes another kick before all of the other eligible players and substitutes in their team have taken a kick.

If a fourth referee is appointed, the positions of the referees are as follows:

The referee must be positioned on the end line approximately 2m from the goal. The referee’s main duty is to monitor whether the ball enters the goal and the goalkeeper advances from the line.

When it is clear that the ball has entered the goal, the referee must make eye contact with the second and third referees to check that no offence has been committed.

The second referee must be positioned in line with the penalty mark, at an approximate distance of 3m, to ensure that the ball and the goalkeeper of the kicker’s team are correctly positioned. The second referee blows the whistle for the kick to be taken.

The third referee must be positioned on the end line approximately 2m from the goal, on the opposite side to the referee.

The third referee’s main duty is to monitor whether the ball enters the goal and assist the referee if needed.

The fourth referee must be positioned in the centre circle to control all the eligible players and substitutes.

The timekeeper must be positioned at the timekeeper’s table to:

• ensure that any players and substitutes excluded from taking a kick and the team officials behave correctly;
• reset the scoreboard to 0-0 and record the outcome of the kicks on the scoreboard.

All the match officials make a note of the kicks taken and the numbers of the players who took them.

Assistant referee signals (mandatory)

The assistant referees must give the signals for a team’s fifth accumulated foul and for a request for a timeout, indicating with their arms the bench of the team that has committed its fifth accumulated foul or requested the timeout.

If the third referee is observing the goal line when one or both teams is/are playing with a flying goalkeeper and the ball enters the goal under their observation, the third referee raises an arm and then immediately points to the centre mark to inform the referees that a goal has been scored.

Acoustic signal

The acoustic signal is an essential signal in a match, to be used only when necessary in order to gain the attention of the referees.

Situations when the acoustic signal is mandatory:

• End of the periods of play

The timekeeper may indicate the start of a period of play with the acoustic signal after one of the referees has signalled with the whistle.

• Communication of a request for a timeout
• Communication of the end of a timeout
• Communication of the fifth accumulated foul by a team
• Communication of incorrect behaviour by substitutes or team officials
• Communication of a breach of the substitution procedure
• Communication of a disciplinary error committed by the referees
• Communication of external interference

If, during the match, the timekeeper sounds the acoustic signal by mistake, the referees must stop play if they consider that this action has interfered with play. If the referees stop play, they must restart play with a dropped ball (see Law 8). If the sound of the acoustic signal does not interfere with play, the referees give clear signals to play on.

If a team that has committed four accumulated fouls commits another one and the referees decide to apply the advantage, the third referee places a clearly visible sign for the fifth accumulated foul in the correct place on the timekeeper’s table.

Chronometer

If the chronometer does not work properly, the timekeeper informs the referees accordingly. The timekeeper must then time the match using a manual chronometer. In such a situation, the assistant referees invite an official from each team in order to inform them of how much time is left to be played.

If, after a stoppage in play, the timekeeper forgets to start the chronometer, the referees order the timekeeper to add the elapsed time on the chronometer.

The chronometer is (re)started as follows:

• Kick-off: after the ball is kicked and clearly moves, in accordance with the procedure
• Goal clearance: after the goalkeeper releases the ball from the hands, in accordance with the procedure
• Corner kick: after the ball is kicked and clearly moves, in accordance with the procedure
• Kick-in: after the ball is kicked and clearly moves, in accordance with the procedure
• Direct free kick outside the penalty area: after the ball is kicked and clearly moves, in accordance with the procedure
• Indirect free kick outside the penalty area to either of the teams or taken by the attacking team from the penalty-area line: after the ball is kicked and clearly moves, in accordance with the procedure
• Direct or indirect free kick inside the penalty area to the defending team: after the ball is kicked and clearly moves, in accordance with the procedure
• Penalty kick: after the ball is kicked forwards and clearly moves, in accordance with the procedure
• Direct free kick beginning with the sixth accumulated foul: after the ball is kicked with the intention of scoring a goal directly and clearly moves, in accordance with the procedure
• Dropped ball: after the ball is released from the hands of one of the referees and touches the pitch, in accordance with the procedure

Law 7 – The Duration of the Match

Timeout

It is recommended that competition rules stipulate sounding an acoustic signal 10-15 seconds before the signal that indicates the end of the timeout in order to let the players and team officials know that the end of the timeout is imminent. However, any substitutions may only be made after the whistle or acoustic signal has sounded to indicate the end of the timeout, not after the first acoustic signal, in accordance with the substitution procedure stipulated in Law 3. If a player does not return to the pitch or a substitute enters the pitch after the whistle or acoustic signal in contravention of the substitution procedure, they are deemed to have entered without permission from the referees and must be cautioned.

Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play

Kick-off

The referees do not have to request confirmation from the goalkeepers or any other player before ordering the kick-off to be taken.

Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match (also applies to Law 13 – Free Kicks and Law 14 – The Penalty Kick)

The procedures below apply in the following situations concerning double touches:

Penalty kicks and penalties (penalty shoot-out)

• The penalty taker accidentally kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously or the ball touches their non-kicking foot or leg immediately after the kick:
  • If the kick is successful, it is retaken.
  • If the kick is unsuccessful, an indirect free kick is awarded (unless the referees play advantage when it clearly benefits the defending team) or, in the case of penalties (penalty shoot-out), the kick is recorded as missed.
• The penalty taker deliberately kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously or deliberately touches it a second time before it has touched another player:
  • An indirect free kick is awarded (unless the referees play advantage when it clearly benefits the defending team) or, in the case of penalties (penalty shoot-out), the kick is recorded as missed.

DFKSAFs

• The DFKSAF taker kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously (deliberately or accidentally):
  • If the kick is successful, a goal is awarded.
  • If the kick is unsuccessful, play continues.
• The DFKSAF taker accidentally touches the ball with their non-kicking foot or leg immediately after the kick:
  • If the kick is successful, it is retaken.
  • If the kick is unsuccessful, an indirect free kick is awarded (unless the referees play advantage when it clearly benefits the defending team).
• The DFKSAF taker deliberately touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player:
  • An indirect free kick is awarded (unless the referees play advantage when it clearly benefits the defending team).

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct

Charging an opponent

The act of charging is a challenge for space using physical contact within playing distance of the ball without using arms or elbows. It is an offence to charge an opponent:

• in a careless manner;
• in a reckless manner;
• using excessive force.

Holding an opponent

Holding an opponent includes the act of preventing the player from moving freely using the hands, the arms or the body.

Referees must intervene early and deal firmly with holding offences, especially inside the penalty area and when corner kicks, kick-ins or free kicks are being taken.

To deal with these situations, the referees must:

• warn any player holding an opponent before the ball is in play;
• caution the player if the holding continues before the ball is in play;
• award a direct free kick or penalty kick and caution the player if it happens once the ball is in play.

If a defending-team player starts holding an attacking-team player outside the penalty area and continues holding the player inside the penalty area, the referees award a penalty kick.

Disciplinary sanctions

• A caution for unsporting behaviour must be issued when a player holds an opponent to prevent the opponent from gaining possession of the ball or taking up an advantageous position.
• A player who denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity by holding an opponent must be sent off.
• No further disciplinary action must be taken in other situations involving a player holding an opponent.

Restart of play

• Direct free kick from the position where the offence occurred or penalty kick if the offence occurred inside the penalty area

Handling the ball

If a player scores in the opponents’ goal after accidentally touching the ball with their hand/arm, without the ball having been deliberately played by any other player thereafter (a deflection does not count as deliberately playing the ball), the goal must be disallowed and an indirect free kick is awarded to the opponents.

However:

• If a goal is not scored and the hand/arm did not make the player’s body unnaturally bigger, play is to be continued.
• If the ball goes off the pitch over the end line, a goal clearance is awarded to the opponents.

If a player scores a goal after a team-mate has accidentally touched the ball with their hand/arm, including immediately thereafter, the goal is awarded.

Disciplinary sanctions

There are circumstances when a caution for unsporting behaviour is required when a player handles the ball, e.g. when a player:

• attempts to score a goal by deliberately handling the ball;
• commits a deliberate handball offence in trying to deny the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity and fails in the attempt;
• interferes with or stops a promising attack by the opposing team, except where the referees award a penalty kick for a non-deliberate handball offence;
• denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity and the referees award a penalty kick for a non-deliberate handball offence.

However, a player who denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball is sent off. This punishment arises not from the act of the player deliberately handling the ball but from the unacceptable and unfair intervention that prevented a goal from being scored.

Restart of play

• Direct free kick from the position where the offence occurred or penalty kick if the offence occurred inside the penalty area

Outside their own penalty area, the goalkeeper has the same restrictions on handling the ball as does any other player. Inside their own penalty area, the goalkeeper cannot be guilty of a handball offence incurring a penalty, except the offence of throwing an object at the ball or making contact with the ball with a held object. The goalkeeper can, however, be guilty of several offences that incur an indirect free kick.

Offences committed by goalkeepers

Possession of the ball means that the goalkeeper has control of the ball. The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball when touching it with any part of the body, except if the ball rebounds off the goalkeeper.

A goalkeeper is not permitted to be in possession of the ball inside their own half of the pitch for more than four seconds, whether:

• with the hands or arms (inside their penalty area);
• with the feet (anywhere in their own half of the pitch).

In such cases, whichever of the referees is nearest to the goalkeeper must clearly and visibly make the four-second count.

If the goalkeeper is in possession of the ball and enters the opponents’ half, the referees stop the four-second count. If the goalkeeper then returns to their own half without having lost control of the ball, the referees restart the count from zero.

If the goalkeeper is in possession of the ball in their own half and is then substituted, the referees continue the four-second count as long as the goalkeeper who enters the pitch takes possession of the ball and remains in their own half.

In addition, after playing the ball anywhere on the pitch, the goalkeeper is not permitted to touch it again in their own half of the pitch after it has been deliberately played to them by a team-mate without an opponent playing or touching it. If the goalkeeper plays the ball anywhere on the pitch and is then substituted, the goalkeeper who enters the pitch is likewise not permitted to touch the ball in their own half of the pitch after it has been deliberately played to them by a team-mate unless an opponent has played or touched it since the goalkeeping substitution.

Moreover, the goalkeeper may not under any circumstances touch the ball with the hands or arms inside their own penalty area after it has been kicked to them by a team-mate, including directly from a kick-in.

Restart of play

• Indirect free kick

No disciplinary action is taken. However, if the goalkeeper deliberately stops the ball from going towards their own goal with their hand(s) or arm outside their own penalty area, they are sent off. This applies even if the ball comes from a deliberate pass back to them (excluding from a kick-in) or if they touch it again after it has been deliberately played to them by a team-mate without an opponent playing or touching it.

Offences committed against goalkeepers

An opponent cannot challenge a goalkeeper once the goalkeeper has gained possession of the ball with the hand(s)/arm(s).

It is an offence to:

• prevent a goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands, e.g. when bouncing the ball;
• play the ball or attempt to do so when the goalkeeper is holding it in the palm of the hand;
  • a player who kicks or attempts to kick the ball when the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing it must be penalised for playing in a dangerous manner;
• unfairly impede the movement of the goalkeeper, e.g. at the taking of a corner kick.

An attacking-team player coming into physical contact with a goalkeeper inside the latter’s own penalty area does not necessarily mean that any offence has been committed, except if the attacking-team player jumps at, charges or pushes the goalkeeper in a careless or reckless manner or using excessive force.

Restart of play

If play was stopped because an offence was committed against the goalkeeper as specified above and the referees could not apply the advantage rule, play will be restarted with an indirect free kick, except if the attacking-team player jumped at, charged or pushed the goalkeeper in a careless or reckless manner or using excessive force, in which case the referees, irrespective of the disciplinary action that they take, must restart play with a direct free kick from the position where the offence occurred.

Playing in a dangerous manner

Playing in a dangerous manner does not necessarily involve physical contact between the players. If there is physical contact, the action becomes an offence punishable with a direct free kick or a penalty kick. In the case of physical contact, the referees should carefully consider the likelihood that, at the very least, misconduct has also been committed.

Disciplinary sanctions

• If a player acts in a dangerous manner in a “normal” challenge, the referees do not administer any disciplinary action. If the action entails an obvious risk of injury, the referees must caution the player for making a reckless challenge on an opponent.
• If a player denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity by playing in a dangerous manner, the referees must send off the player.

Restart of play

• Indirect free kick

If there is contact or the referees consider that the challenge was made in a careless or reckless manner or using excessive force, a different offence has been committed, punishable with a direct free kick or penalty kick.

Showing dissent by word or action

A player or substitute who is guilty of dissent by protesting (verbally or non-verbally) against the decisions of the referees or assistant referees must be cautioned.

The captain of a team has no special status or privileges under the Futsal Laws of the Game but has a degree of responsibility for the behaviour of the team.

Any player or substitute who attacks a match official or is guilty of using offensive, rude or obscene action(s) or language must be sent off.

Delaying the restart of play

Referees caution players who delay the restart of play using tactics such as:

• taking a free kick from the wrong position with the sole intention of forcing the referees to order a retake;
• kicking or carrying the ball away after the referees have stopped play;
• delaying leaving the pitch after the medical staff is beckoned onto the pitch to assess an injury;
• provoking a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referees have stopped play.

Simulation

Any player who attempts to deceive the referees by feigning injury or pretending to have suffered an offence will be guilty of simulation and will be punished for unsporting behaviour. If the match is stopped as a result of this offence, play is restarted with an indirect free kick.

Mass confrontations

In situations of mass confrontations:

• referees should quickly and efficiently identify and deal with the initiator(s) of the confrontation;
• referees should take a good position on the pitch around the confrontation so that all incidents can be viewed and offences can be identified;
• the third and fourth referees should enter the pitch, if needed, to assist the referees;
• after the confrontation, disciplinary action must be taken.

Persistent offences

The referees should be alert at all times to players who persistently commit offences against the Futsal Laws of the Game. In particular, they must be aware that, even if a player commits a number of different offences, the player must still be cautioned for persistently infringing the Futsal Laws of the Game.

There is no specific number of offences which constitutes “persistence” or the presence of a pattern – this is entirely a matter of judgement and must be determined in the context of effective game management.

Using the goal or a team-mate for support

It is not permitted to play the ball whilst deliberately using the goal or a team-mate for support, including by:

• hanging onto the crossbar;
• kicking/pushing the goal to get into an advantageous position;
• using a team-mate’s shoulder or any other part of their body to gain height;
• being pushed by a team-mate to get into an advantageous position.

If a player commits this kind of offence, they must be cautioned, and an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team (see Law 13). If a player commits this kind of offence to deny the opponents a goal or obvious goalscoring opportunity, they must be sent off, and an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team (see Law 13).

Denying a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO)

The following considerations apply to active and inactive players when determining whether a situation is DOGSO or not:

• Defending players should be considered active if they would have had the opportunity to intervene in the attack, including by actively pressing, challenging the attacking player or intercepting the ball.
• Attacking players should be considered active if they would have had a clear opportunity to take part in the attack.

Serious foul play

A player who is guilty of serious foul play should be sent off and play should be restarted with a direct free kick, to be taken from the position where the offence occurred, or with a penalty kick (if the offence occurred inside the offender’s penalty area).

The advantage should not be applied in situations involving serious foul play unless there is a clear subsequent opportunity to score a goal. In such a case, the referees must send off the player guilty of serious foul play when the ball is next out of play.

Law 13 – Free Kicks

Distance

If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is closer than 5m from the ball intercepts it, the referees allow play to continue.

If a player decides to take a free kick quickly and an opponent who is near the ball deliberately prevents the kicker from taking the kick, the referees must caution the opponent for delaying the restart of play.

If the defending team decides to take a quick free kick inside its own penalty area and one or more opponents remain inside the penalty area because they did not have time to leave the area, the referees allow play to continue.

Law 14 – The Penalty Kick

Procedure

• If the ball becomes defective after hitting one of the goalposts or the crossbar and enters the goal, the referees award the goal.
• If the ball becomes defective after hitting one of the goalposts or the crossbar and does not enter the goal, the referees do not order the penalty kick to be retaken but stop play, which is restarted with a dropped ball.
• If the referees order the penalty kick to be retaken, the new penalty kick does not have to be taken by the original kicker.
• If the kicker takes the penalty kick before the referees give the signal, they order the penalty kick to be retaken and caution the kicker.

Law 15 – The Kick-in

Procedure for offences

The referees are to remind the defending-team players that they must be at least 5m from the point from which the kick-in is to be taken.

Where necessary, the referees warn any player not respecting the minimum distance before the kick-in is taken and caution any player who subsequently fails to retreat to the correct distance. Play is restarted with a kick-in, and the four-second count is begun again if it has already been started.

If a kick-in is taken incorrectly, the referees may not apply the advantage even if the ball goes directly to an opponent, but rather must order a player from the opposing team to retake it.

Law 16 – The Goal Clearance

Procedure for offences

If an opponent enters the penalty area or is still in it before the ball is in play and is fouled by a player from the defending team, the goal clearance is retaken and the defending-team player may be cautioned or sent off depending on the nature of the offence.

If, when a goal clearance is taken by the goalkeeper, one or more opponents is/are still inside the penalty area because the goalkeeper decided to take the clearance quickly and the opponent(s) did not have time to leave the area, the referees allow play to continue.

If the goalkeeper, while correctly taking a goal clearance, deliberately throws the ball at an opponent but not in a careless or reckless manner or using excessive force, the referees allow play to continue.

If, when taking the goal clearance, the goalkeeper does not release the ball from inside their penalty area, the referees order the goal clearance to be retaken, although the four-second count continues from the point from where it was stopped once the goalkeeper is ready to retake it.

The referees start the four-second count whenever the goalkeeper is in control of the ball, whether with the hands or with the feet.

If a goalkeeper who has taken a goal clearance correctly then deliberately touches the ball with the hand or arm outside their penalty area after it has been in play and before another player has touched it, the referees, in addition to awarding a direct free kick to the opposing team, take disciplinary action against the goalkeeper in accordance with the Futsal Laws of the Game.

If the goalkeeper takes a goal clearance using the foot, the referees warn the goalkeeper and order them to retake the goal clearance using the hand, but the four-second count continues from the point where it was stopped once the goalkeeper is ready to retake the goal clearance.

Law 17 – The Corner Kick

Procedure for offences

The referees are to remind the defending-team players that they must remain at least 5m from the corner arc until the ball is in play. Where necessary, the referees warn any player not respecting the minimum distance before the corner kick is taken and caution any player who subsequently fails to retreat to the correct distance.

The ball must be placed inside the corner area and is in play when it is kicked; therefore, the ball does not need to leave the corner area to be in play.

If a goalkeeper, as part of a playing movement, ends up outside their own goal or off the pitch, the opposing team may take the corner kick quickly.